Australian Opals defeat Brazil 60-55 in first Olympic qualifying match
The Opals overcame a raucous home crowd, late Brazilian charge and even a court invasion by a rogue cat to grind out victory in their first Olympic qualifying match.
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The Opals have taken a tentative but ultimately successful first step toward qualifying for Paris, surviving a late scare from a physical Brazil in a game that had just about everything — including a feline court invader.
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Down by as many as 14, Brazil fought back to take its first lead of the game, midway through a tense fourth period, fuelled by a raucous home crowd in Belem.
It lasted all of 45 seconds, though, as the Opals leant on their elite defence, before a clutch three from 2023 WNBA champion Cayla George with one minute on the clock broke a 55-55 deadlock for good.
Brazil coach José Neto immediately called time, where a stray cat seized its chance to make the highlight reel Arena Guilherme Paraense, slinking up to the huddle as he barked orders, forcing a member of the coaching staff to wrangle the furry intruder.
From there, three straight stops closed it out, 60-55, with point guard Tess Madgen’s late bucket set up by a pair of huge blocks from George on Leila Zabani, then game MVP Ezi Magbegor on Brazil’s dangerous Kamilla Soares.
Seattle Storm centre Magbegor led the way with 18 points — making her first seven shots — to go with seven rebounds and four blocks.
With the Opals’ A grade squad together for the first time since the 2022 FIBA World Cup bronze medal triumph, teething problems were expected and evident.
It left relieved coach Sandy Brondello pleased with their resilience in the face of late adversity.
“We had to grind it out. I’m proud of the girls just to buckle down in that fourth quarter,” Brondello said.
“It wasn’t pretty but we found a way. We got stops and Cayla George hit a big three.
“I did go with an experienced group near the end, a team that actually played together a bit more because, in those big moments and the atmosphere that we had, I just thought we needed it.
“We are lucky to get away (with a win). We are happy that we won but we know we have to be better to beat the next team.”
The Opals now have a day’s break before taking on Germany on Sunday morning (7am AEDT), which came back from 15 points down against Serbia to claim a 73-66 win in its tournament opener.
Opals face cutthroat battle to book Paris Olympic ticket
– Matt Logue
The Australian Opals will walk a tightrope in a bid to qualify for this year’s Paris Games, with three games in four days set to decide their Olympic fate.
It’s a delicate predicament that’s prompted Opals great Michele Timms to nervously declare the must-win qualifiers in Brazil won’t be a “cakewalk”.
Timms knows the Australians have set the benchmark for Aussie hoops on the Olympic stage, winning three silver and two bronze medals.
In more recent times, this dominance has been challenged due to the rising standards in women’s world basketball.
Add in a disappointing eighth-place finish at 2021 Tokyo Olympics – and success can no longer be assumed for the world No. 3 ranked Opals.
It’s a reality that will hit the Australian women hard when they face Brazil, Germany and Serbia in a crucial Olympic Qualifying tournament.
The Opals must finish in the top three in their four-nation pool to qualify for the Paris Games.
Timms expects the Opals to rise to the big occasion, but she is taking nothing for granted.
Timms believes women’s basketball is stronger than ever before – and the Aussies must produce their best to qualify for Paris.
“I think a lot of people think this is going to a breeze for the Opals, but it’s not,” said Timms, a three-time Olympian.
“This isn’t going to be a cakewalk.
“They’re going to have to work really hard to get through this round.
“The broader public might not understand how big this is, but it’s a tough pool to get through because the rest of the world has improved so much.”
Brazil: (World ranking: 8th)
In terms of first-up challenges, it doesn’t come any harder than a must-win clash against the home nation Brazil.
The skilful Brazilians are coming off a gold medal at last year’s Americup in Mexico, so Timms is anticipating a fast-paced and sharpshooting affair.
“Brazil is always dangerous,” Timms said.
“If they get up and about, they are really hard to stop, especially from the three-point line.
“The Brazilian’s have improved, so that first game won’t be easy, especially with the lack of preparation and not going in with the strongest team due to injury.”
Germany: (World Ranking: 25th)
Timms expects people to be surprised when they watch Germany play.
The Germans are yet to enter or qualify for the Olympics or a World Cup, but they’re slowly making strides forward.
The majority of Germany’s roster is European based, while small forward Satou Sabally is the only WNBA representative. Sabally recently penned a one-year extension with the Dallas Wings.
Timms believes the Australians must forget the world rankings against Germany to avoid complacency creeping in.
“Their ranking isn’t high, but they’ve improved out of sight,” she said.
“They’ve got some WNBA players and they are going to be a handful.
“So, it won’t be a walk in the park.”
Serbia: (World Ranking: 10th)
When it comes to rivalries for Australia, it’s hard to go past Serbia.
The Opals have experienced heartbreak against the Serbians in recent times.
The toughest pill to swallow was Australia’s shock 73-71 loss to the Europeans in the quarter-finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The defeat ended the Opals hopes of winning a medal for the sixth consecutive Olympics.
The intense battle between the two nations continued in a warm-up game prior to the 2022 World Cup.
Australia suffered a 78-71 loss to the Serbians in a match marred when Opals forward Steph Talbot was ejected from the game in the second term after being called for a flagrant foul.
Former Opals captain Jenna O’Hea went on the public record to vent her frustrations about the contentious ejection against the Serbians.
“It was soft – that won’t happen on home soil at the World Cup in Sydney,” O’Hea said on ESPN.
Seven months on, Australia and Serbia battled again in a crucial Group B World Cup game, with the Opals winning to progress to the second round at a home Cup.
The two teams will renew their rivalry on Monday – and Timms is banking on fireworks again.
“There is no love lost between these two teams and Serbia is one of the best countries in Europe,” she said.
“I’ll never forget when Talbot got ejected prior to the ’22 World Cup. The Serbians always give us trouble.
“They’ve got a great coach (Marina Maljković) and I’ve loved the head-to-head battles between her and Sandy over the years.”
WHAT ROLE DOES LJ PLAY?
Improved form in the WNBL for the Southside Flyers has Timms tipping Lauren Jackson to thrive off the bench for the Opals in Brazil.
Australia’s greatest female basketballer may be 42, but she still has plenty to offer on the big stage.
Jackson has played a vital role in steering the Flyers to second position on the WNBL ladder – now she has international success for the Opals in her sights.
Timms says ‘LJ’ will perfectly complement a formidable Australian front-court in Marianna Tolo, Cayla George and Alanna Smith.
“I’m really keen to see now Lauren is used and what court time she gets,” Timms said.
“It’s great having her over there from a leadership standpoint.
“Her last three weeks in the WNBL have showed that she is skill agile with her speed and agility.
“Earlier in the season her ability to get up and down the floor wasn’t so great, but she has looked good in recent times at both ends of the court.
“She has also been tough to defend offensively. I’m keen to see how Sandy injects Lauren into games.”
INJECTION OF YOUTH
The Opals will field an understrength line-up in Brazil, minus 2022 World Cup bronze medallists Steph Talbot, Kristy Wallace and Darcee Garbin.
It’s a big blow for the Australians, but it has been boosted with the selection of young guns Jade Melbourne (21) and Isobel Borlase (19).
Timms is particularly excited about the prospects of Adelaide Lightning guard Borlase, who co-captained the Gems to a silver medal at last year’s FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
“I’m excited to see the young kids play,” she said.
“Isobel is coming off an injury to her ankle, but she has had a really good WNBL season, especially at the start of the season.
“I’m keen to see how that young group comes in.”
OPALS’ QUEST TO QUALIFY FOR 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
(All games on ESPN and Kayo)
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belem, Brazil
*Australia must finish in the top three in their four-nation pool to qualify for the Paris Games
Friday, February 9: Opals vs. Brazil from 10am (AEDT)
Sunday, February 11: Opals vs. Germany from 7am (AEDT)
Monday, February 12: Opals vs. Serbia from 7am (AEDT)
Originally published as Australian Opals defeat Brazil 60-55 in first Olympic qualifying match
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