FIBA Women’s World Cup: Australian Opals v France, start time, teams, stream, TV
Lauren Jackson sat on the bench for most of the second half before attempting to rescue the Opals in their time of need. The French had other ideas. How the GOAT fared in her return.
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Australia’s World Cup campaign has suffered a major setback after a disappointing 70-57 loss to France in a forgettable tournament opener.
The Opals were desperate to ring in a bold new era on home soil, but they couldn’t contain a potent French side led by star Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams.
Australia failed to deny Williams, who dominated proceedings with her athleticism to finish with a game-high 23 points.
Opals guard Bec Allen did her best to keep Australia in the game, dropping a team-high 16 points.
In the end, though, Australia lacked France’s firepower.
The Opals must now win at least three of their final four games against Mali, Serbia, Canada and Japan to progress to the quarterfinals.
It won’t be an easy task, especially with formidable tests versus Canada and Japan.
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup
Sydney Olympic Park Sep 22-Oct 1
Tickets on sale www.ticketek.com.au
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Jackson belongs but didn’t dominate
It’s no coincidence that Jackson looked comfortable without having a major impact in her first international for the Opals since 2013.
Spies tell me Australia’s greatest basketballer was already training for a comeback last May, some 500 days out from the World Cup.
Jackson had also given up alcohol, so she was fully committed to donning the green and gold again.
This discipline and dedication showed in Lauren’s performance against France.
Sure, she isn’t the Jackson of old and she only scored three points and added one rebound in her 10 minutes on the floor, but she can still make an impact, even at 41.
The Aussie great entered the game with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
She missed her opening three-point attempt, but it didn’t bother her.
Jackson quickly moved on to make a crucial steal.
This gave her the confidence to return to the three-point line and drain a dagger for her 600th World Cup point, bringing the strong crowd at the Sydney SuperDome to their feet.
Watch for Jackson to improve as the tournament progresses.
She remained positive post-game, declaring: “It’s a long tournament and we can rebound.”
Jackson sat out the entire third quarter as France extended its lead, but said, post-game, she was “fine”.
“I had two fouls, but I’m fine (physically),” she said.
“I’m just doing what I’m told.”
Allen excels, but needs more help
The Opals looked sluggish in offence at stages, but Allen provided the Australians with much needed stability.
The gun guard went after the game in the first half with aggressive shot making.
The New York Liberty WNBA star had 11 first half points to keep the Opals in the contest.
France led by one point at quarter-time and halftime, but the Australians refused to go away.
Allen continued to dominate in the second half, but she needs more help on the offensive end.
Williams puts fear through Opals
France was understrength, but it didn’t matter as Williams put on a show.
The French fielded a youthful line up minus big names – guards Marine Johannes (thigh), Bria Hartley and centre Sandrine Gruda.
Johannes, rated France’s best player, was particularly a loss for France.
There were concerns that the French could struggle without their star trio, but Williams was brilliant.
The Seattle Storm WNBA star didn’t play in France’s final warm-up loss to Australia earlier in the week.
Opals captain Tess Madgen was wary of Williams pre-game.
“Gabby didn’t play in our warm-up game, so we’ll have to adjust to her athleticism,” Madgen said pre-game.
The Opals skipper was on the money as Williams produced a best on court performance for the French.
Australia must quickly regroup ahead of Friday’s must-win game against Mali from 8.30pm (AEST).
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER RECAP
FULL TIME: AUSTRALIA 57-70 FRANCE
— The night was meant to be about Lauren Jackson and, while she didn’t dominate, she didn’t look out of place in her return to international basketball for the first time in nine years. The Aussies were tipped to defeat the French, but Gabby Williams monstered them defensively on her way to 23 points. Bec Allen had 16 for the Aussies, most of those coming in the first half, while Marianna Tolo and Sami Whitcomb finished with eight each. The Opals tired and were held to just 10 points in the last. Jackson finished with just the one bucket — a three ball — and picked up four fouls in her first international appearance since 2013.
— She’s done it all night and French star Gabby Williams just put the Australians to bed, her 21st, 22nd and 23rd point coming from deep, making France’s lead nine points with less than one minute to go.
— Jackson’s helped deliver two huge defensive plays leading to Opals possessions, but they’re still popgun offensively. Kristy Wallace hit a huge three to keep the Aussies in touch, but nothing is falling at the moment, with Steph Talbot and Bec Allen unable to get their shots to go down. Two minutes to go. Basketball miracle needed.
— Four-and-a-half to go and Lauren Jackson has checked in for the first time in the second half. Can she lead the Aussies home?
Q3: AUSTRALIA 47-52 FRANCE
— It was all France in the third, the Opals struggled to look after the ball and struggled to find the bottom of the cylinder. The French turned the heat up defensively and found more avenues to the hoop, even if the brilliant New York Liberty gun Bec Allen has cancelled out France’s Seattle Storm jet Gabby Williams — each has 16 points. France led by seven with moments to go, but Sami Whitcomb went all the way to the rack with a superb righty finish that reduced the margin to five and gave the Opals some life. LJ didn’t play in the third quarter, sitting on the sidelines with the tracksuit on. The Aussies are hammering France on the boards, but shooting just 29 per cent from the field. More chance of hitting water in the ocean at the moment. Must change in the last, but they’re in striking distance.
Q2: AUSTRALIA 31-32 FRANCE
— We’ve had seven lead changes and four ties so far but France take the ascendancy into the break. Aussie Mariana Tolo and Iliana Rupert found themselves in a little scuffle on the floor, both hitting the deck and, of course, the cool head of Jackson came in to calm things. The Opals copped a huge spray from coach Sandy Brondello, she’s not happy with the defence on French star Gabby Williams, who has torched them for 14 first-half points. Bec Allen leads the Opals with 11 and Cayla George has 5.
Q1: AUSTRALIA 17-18 FRANCE
— France takes a narrow lead into the break, star Gabby Williams scoring 10 of the team’s first 12 points. She was almost matched by Aussie tyro Bec Allen, who hit from inside and out on the Opals first seven. It was precision on offence — apart from blowing a few chippies at the rim — but you couldn’t say the same defensively early as the Opals bit on shot fakes and were blown by too often when France put the ball on the floor. That changed when Jackson took the floor, but they’ll need more of it.
— It’s the loudest cheer of the night Lauren Jackson scores her first bucket as an Opal since 2013 — it’s a classic three ball with a hand in her face. It’s her 600th point in World Cups, third in history. The fans love it. She got a chance earlier, flaring out on the left wing for a wide open three, but it was just short. She’s got black sleeves on both legs protecting her knees. Defensively, Jackson is a wall. She’s ripped the ball away from France’s Kendra Chery as she tried to get to the basket. Then another great defensive effort to stop Mamignan Toure at the hoop.
— Big roar for Lauren Jackson as she’s introduced to the Sydney SuperDome crowd. She’s 41 years old, but a beloved figure in Australian — and world basketball. There’s a special atmosphere tonight.
‘I hope she goes off’: Hype builds for Aussie GOAT’s return
—Matt Logue and Megan Hustwaite
As the Opals prepare for tonight’s FIBA World Cup-opening clash with France, the spectre of Lauren Jackson’s remarkable return has resonated throughout Australia’s opposing teams.
Jackson, donning the green and gold for the first time in nine years, received a glowing endorsement from Team USA captain Breanna Stewart, who has won two WNBA championships with Seattle Storm, Jackson’s former club.
She can’t wait to see the Aussie GOAT play in Sydney.
“It’s amazing for Lauren to be back playing, just for all that she has gone through both mentally and physically,” Stewart, who is sitting courtside for the Opals clash, said.
“I hope she goes off. I keep telling her — I hope you have like 30 points’.
“The type of player she was when she was playing was one of the best in the world, so to now have her back is (huge).
“For me, she is still one of the best in the world and I think it’s amazing for her to be celebrated here.”
Earlier Thursday, Stewart top scored with 22 points as her nation defeated Belgium, 87-72.
The Americans used just 9 players with Las Vegas Aces championship trio A’Ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum currently on a flight to Australia to join the team.
Stewart’s performance on Thursday was her eighth-straight game with 20-plus points in all competitions. She’s averaged 25.6 points per game during that run.
Jackson was an unstoppable force at her peak and while she is older and cannot do everything she once did, she believes she can play a role.
Jackson has represented her country with distinction and the honour is not lost on her every time she pulls on the colours of her nation.
She was captain of the Australian team that in 2006 won the country’s first senior basketball gold medal, at the World Cup in Brazil, and six years later carried the Australia flag at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.
“I’m so proud of being Australian. I love our country, I love putting the green and gold on,” Jackson said.
“For me there is no greater honour than representing Australia, so to be able to do it in a World Cup in my own state, let alone in my own country, it’s super special.”
Women rise in opening ceremony
—Megan Hustwaite
Powerhouse women headlined the opening ceremony of the FIBA Women’s World Cup on Thursday night.
Aussie music sensation and hoops lover Tones and I performed her smash hits Fly Away and Charlie.
The Melburnian is also NBL club Melbourne United’s No.1 ticketholder.
The world’s best female player, USA’s Breanna Stewart delivered the 2022 trophy to the court.
Stewart was crowned tournament MVP at the last World Cup in Spain in 2018.
Meanwhile, flags of the participating 12 countries were presented to the arena, secretary-general of FIBA Andreas Zagklis addressed the Sydney crowd and a minute’s silence was observed for the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
Tones and I performing pre-game!#FIBAWWCpic.twitter.com/naS6zsLcnI
— Damian Arsenis (@DamianArsenis) September 22, 2022
Yao in the house
—Matt Logue
Some of world basketball’s biggest names are in Sydney for the Women’s World Cup, but it doesn’t come any bigger than Chinese superstar Yao Ming.
Ming, an eight-time NBA All-Star, is in the Harbour City to support China’s women’s team.
The seven foot six icon was sitting courtside watching his beloved Chinese smash Korea, 107-44.
Ming also sparked a frenzy in the concourse at the Sydney SuperDome, with Chinese fans chasing him for an autograph or photo.
Ex-Opals captain still haunted by ugly Cambage Tokyo saga
—Michael Randall
Former Opals captain Jenna O’Hea says she is still coming to terms with ex-teammate Liz Cambage’s ugly exit on the eve of the Tokyo Games.
With Australia opening its FIBA World Cup in Sydney – its first major tournament since Cambage’s infamous practice game meltdown against Nigeria – O’Hea said Cambage’s departure a week out from the Olympics still haunts her.
“A lot has changed, still something that I’m dealing with today … seven days before that first game at the Olympics last year, she left our team,” O’Hea said on ESPN.
“Rough is an understatement to say.”
O’Hea, once the closest of friends with the towering star, said the Cambage saga had a huge impact on the Opals’ disappointing result at the 2021 games, where they were bundled out of the quarterfinal, smacked by Team USA.
“Such a main player leaving, all our offences were geared around her, our defensive schemes, much were geared around here,” O’Hea said.
“So for her leaving in the circumstances that she left in, it really shook us and I think that showed with our performance and with our result at the end.”
How Australia’s group rivals fared
—Matt Logue
In other opening World Cup games, Australia’s Group B rivals Canada and Serbia fought out a close battle, in a sign of things to come for the Opals.
The Canadians held on to record a hard fought 67-60 win over Serbia on the back of 13 points from centre Kayla Alexander.
The Serbians had their chances and still look like a formidable team, especially if they can drop their shots.
The Opals take on Serbia on Sunday night from 6pm (AEST) before a clash against Canada on Monday night from 8.30pm (AEST).
Perhaps Australia’s biggest Group B threat, Japan, charged to a comfortable 89-56 victory over Mali.
The Japanese looked super impressive, led by 17 points from shooting guard Aika Hirashita.
Australia are expected to make light work of Mali on Friday night from 8.30pm (AEST), they face a tougher task against the Japanese in their final Group B pool fixture on Tuesday from 8.30pm (AEST).
Team USA captain’s ominous World Cup message
Team USA’s quest to win a fourth consecutive World Cup crown is off to a strong start following a dominant 87-72 win over Belgium.
Captain Breanna Stewart was the star of the show, a day after declaring the Americans are aiming to win a gold medal for teammate Brittney Griner, who is detained in a Russian jail on drug possession charges.
Stewart finished with a game-high 22 points while she added four rebounds and three assists.
The two-time WNBA champion is widely regarded as the world’s best player, and it was clear to see why following her stellar performance against Belgium.
Stewart’s impressive first up World Cup display comes as she revealed Team USA’s plans to temporarily retire Griner’s No.15 singlet during its Cup campaign in Sydney.
She said it is a show of support for their two-time gold medal winning teammate, who is controversially facing drug possession charges.
Stewart’s exclusive story with News Corp about Griner was followed up by the centre’s WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday.
The Phoenix posted a tweet saying: “No one on Team USA wears No. 15 other than two-time Olympic Gold medallist Brittney Griner.
USA Basketball will honour BG as they take the court in Sydney at the World Cup. No. 15 will stay reserved until BG is back home”
Team USA take on Puerto Rico in their second World Cup game on Friday from 10.30am.
Opals to begin World Cup campaign against France
The Opals face their most important game since the 2016 Rio Olympics when they kick off their FIBA Women’s World Cup campaign against France at the Sydney SuperDome tonight at 8.30pm (AEST).
A first up win over France will be crucial for the Opals given their group includes the likes of Serbia, Canada, and Japan – and they must finish in the top two to progress to the quarterfinals.
France will field a youthful line up with big names – guard Marine Johannes, centre Sandrine Gruda and guard Bria Hartley not playing in Sydney.
While the Opals welcome Lauren Jackson back on their 12-strong roster after she remarkably came back from years of retirement to be selected aged 41.
“It’s been a very big ride, an intense one,” said Jackson, a four-time Olympic medallist and seven-time WNBA all-star who first played for the Opals 25 years ago.
“The girls are feeling pretty good and it’s a really exciting time, but a nervous time for me.” Now a mother, Australia’s greatest women’s player retired in 2016 with a persistent knee injury before launching a return in April to make her fifth World Cup.
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup
Sydney Olympic Park Sep 22-Oct 1
Tickets on sale www.ticketek.com.au
Originally published as FIBA Women’s World Cup: Australian Opals v France, start time, teams, stream, TV
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