Paris 2024: Poor preparation shines through in Opals shock loss to Nigeria on Monday night

Terrible turnovers and shocking shooting was the result of a horrible lead in to the Paris Games for the Opals as they were handed a reality check from Nigeria on Monday night.

The acid test for the Opals was always going to be if their limited 10-day preparation for the Paris Games would hold up on the world stage.

At Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday, the answer was an emphatic no as 26 terrible turnovers and poor shooting led to a shock 75-62 loss to Nigeria.

The Opals’ lead in for the group games in Lille has been hardly ideal.

No WNBA players in camp until less than two weeks before the Games, while a host of niggling injuries had coach Sandy Brondello nervously pacing in the lead up to the Nigerian clash.

Rookie guard Isobel Borlase has been battling a calf injury, while there are bumps and bruises littered through the squad’s six WNBA players.

Phoenix Mercury sharpshooter Bec Allen was also ruled out on the eve of the Games with a hamstring injury.

Lauren Jackson fights for the ball in Lille. Picture: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

This lack of preparation showed in the opening quarter, with terrible turnovers and poor passes plaguing the flat Australians.

In comparison, Nigeria looked energetic at both ends of the floor to lock down the Opals and take a slender 18-17 lead into the first quarter break.

Nigeria tried to physically bash the Opals – and it worked with Australian star centre Ezi Magbegor a prime target.

Magbegor copped a barrage of attention every time she drove to the paint. In one play, she looked to have received a hit to her neck and she was slow to recover.

16 turnovers in the first also didn’t help the Opals’ cause. The Australian women were down 41-28 at halftime.

Steph Talbot desperately tries to retrieve a ball. PIcture: Thomas COEX / AFP

Remarkably, the Nigerians scored 19 points off Aussie turnovers in 20 minutes.

The Opals surged back to life in the third quarter, somewhat cleaning up their turnovers and reducing Nigeria’s lead to just four points heading into the final frame but were unable to deliver down the stretch.

The last time the Opals came face-to-face with Nigeria the team was at rock bottom.

Liz Cambage’s physical and verbal tirade towards the Nigerians in a private scrimmage prior to the 2021 Tokyo Games brought the proud program to its knees.

Monday’s diabolical display did little to erase the past pain as Nigeria dominated to record a boil over victory.

In Lauren Jackson’s first Olympic appearance since the 2012 London Games, the Aussie hoops great had six points and two rebounds in 12 minutes.

Originally published as Paris 2024: Poor preparation shines through in Opals shock loss to Nigeria on Monday night