Opals coach hails Australia’s preparation ahead of home World Cup in Sydney

The Opals are ready for redemption at this year’s World Cup in Sydney after a disappointing Olympic campaign in Tokyo, coach Sandy Brondello with a massive call on the Aussies’ prep.

The Australian Opals are on track to avoid a repeat of their Tokyo Olympic disaster, with coach Sandy Brondello hailing the side’s preparation arguably the best its been in her six-year tenure ahead of this month’s World Cup in Sydney.

The Opals are determined to restore respect within the women’s program after a disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The preparation for the campaign was thrown into chaos when star centre Liz Cambage racially and physically abused players from the Nigerian national team in a private pre-Olympic scrimmage in Las Vegas.

Cambage’s behaviour was a breaking point for the playing group, who voted to have their troubled teammate removed from the team.

The controversial centre later opted to withdraw from the Olympics, citing mental health.

Cambage’s exit from the team, just a week out from the Tokyo Olympics, had a major mental impact on the Opals and they failed to recover in Tokyo.

Opals coach Sandy Brondello believes her charges are primed for redemption after the disappointment of Tokyo.

A year and a half on, Brondello says the Opals are in a much stronger and united position heading into the World Cup in Sydney.

“We’re having an ideal preparation; unlike we did in Tokyo,” Brondello said ahead of the Opals’ opening World Cup game against France on September 22.

“A lot of things were out of our control in Tokyo, and a lot of the things that happened around it.

“That’s not an excuse, but this is one of the best preparations we’ve had since I’ve taken over.

“Everyone is relatively healthy, and we are making good progress. It is a new atmosphere here and we’re heading in the right direction.

“That excites me as a coach.”

Opals coach Sandy Brondello during an Australian Opals training camp at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium on the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images.

Brondello credits a perfect mix in the current Opals squad for the team’s seamless preparation to date.

From the return of the greatest Opal in Lauren Jackson to rising faces like Anneli Maley and Darcee Garbin, the Australian women are well placed for success.

“We have a really good balance of players with World Cup experience and newcomers to the group, which is exciting,” she said.

“It shows the depth of women’s basketball in this country.

“It is a home World Cup, and we’re excited, but we’ve got to make sure we’re prepared.”

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Playing a home World Cup in Sydney is also a monumental boost, as Brondello knows all too well.

She donned the green and gold in the 1994 World Championships in Australia, which was played in Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, and Sydney.

“It’s really an advantage playing at home,” she said.

“I was playing in the last home World Cup in 1994 and I have great memories from that.

“We know we didn’t do so well in Tokyo and it’s nice to be back in front of our home crowd and getting the preparation right.

“To be successful, you need to prepare. Hopefully, we can peak at the right time and get on the podium.”