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Australian Boomers a real shot at making history in Rio

HISTORY beckons the Australian Boomers after a dominant performance in their opening game in Rio. Next target — Serbia.

France's point guard Antoine Diot (C) makes his way through Australia's forward Cameron Bairstow (L) and Australia's guard Matthew Dellavedova during a Men's round Group A basketball match between Australia and France at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON
France's point guard Antoine Diot (C) makes his way through Australia's forward Cameron Bairstow (L) and Australia's guard Matthew Dellavedova during a Men's round Group A basketball match between Australia and France at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON

A DOMINANT performance over a star-studded France team has proved the Australian Boomers men’s basketball team are a real shot at making history in Rio.

Aiming for their first ever Olympic medal, the Boomers defeated France 87-66 to win their opening match at a Games for the first time since 1996.

Australia used a 51-33 second half to push them towards victory with NBA stars Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova leading their way. Bogut showed no signs of the knee injury which forced him out of the NBA finals, putting on a passing and dunking masterclass in

the win while Mills top scored for the Boomers.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — AUGUST 06: Chris Goulding #4 of Australia takes a shot in the second half against France on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — AUGUST 06: Chris Goulding #4 of Australia takes a shot in the second half against France on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Runcorn product and Churchie graduate Cameron Bairstow played a significant role in coach Andrej Lemanis’ big man rotation with former Brisbane State High School teammates Brock Motum and Chris Goulding spending a few minutes on the court to finish the match.

  • The Boomers next play Serbia on Monday at 3.15am (AEST).

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/australian-boomers-a-real-shot-at-making-history-in-rio/news-story/fdcaf99a9239c050d6e677988ebe2eda