Opals beat France 79-72 to advance to basketball quarter-finals at Paris Olympics
A veteran Opal believes an impressive victory over France under pressure proves Australia can beat anyone. MATCH REPORT and PLAYER RATINGS.
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Veteran Opals centre Marianna Tolo boldly declared the Aussies can “go all the way” if they continue to play with the same purpose that helped them beat France to keep their Paris Olympic podium dreams alive.
Moments after securing one of her “greatest ever wins” in the green and gold, an emotionally exhausted Tolo said that the Opals had rediscovered their famed fight in a thrilling 79-72 win over France.
She believes the impressive victory under pressure proves the Australian women can beat anyone on the world stage and it’s a mentality the side will carry with them to Paris for the second round.
“Absolutely it’s right up there with the best games I’ve been a part of,” Tolo said.
“Everyone came up with big shots in the clutch and defensive stops.
“It’s what dreams are made of, right.
“If we can play like that moving forward, we can go the whole way.
“We just have to take it one game at a time and we can’t take the brake pedal off because when we do, it’s like they (the opposition) are jumping all over us.
“We’ve got to be on our front foot first.”
A passionate performance fighting for their lives helped the Opals beat France to avoid their first Olympic exit prior to a quarter-final in the program’s history.
The Australian women headed into the crucial final group stage game needing to beat the French in front of a raucous home crowd to avoid a first round exit.
The Opals played with conviction to produce one of their finest ever performances under pressure, winning a classic to advance to the quarter-finals.
The Opals will now play Serbia in their quarter-final in Paris on Wednesday from 11am (Paris time) and 7pm (AEST).
Our female basketballers have long been the benchmark for international success having won three silver medals and two bronze.
The reality of missing the quarter-finals at the Olympics for the first time drove the players to perform on the biggest stage with their campaign on the line.
Veteran guard Tess Madgen was magnificent for Australia, turning back the clock to lead the way for the Opals with 18 points, including four of six from range.
Madgen, 33, will most likely hang up the international sneakers after the Paris Games and she played with the energy of a player desperate to go out on a high.
She attacked the game, chased down loose balls and knocked down her shots.
Opals coach Sandy Brondello couldn’t wipe the smile off her face when asked about Madgen’s professional performance.
“She was amazing wasn’t she…I mean, like making those threes...that’s why she’s here,” declared Brondello, who like Tolo thought the win over the French was her best result as Opals coach.
“She’s tough as nails. To make big plays like that, I think she’s one of the best captains we’ve ever had.”
WNBA forward Alanna Smith wasn’t too far behind Madgen in the standout stakes.
Smith used her frame to get inside the paint and drop 12 points and four rebounds.
Centre Ezi Magbegor also starred with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The Opals’ stellar display also helped them prolong the career of the legendary Lauren Jackson, who will most likely retire post the Paris Games.
The atmosphere inside Pierre Mauroy Stadium for the Opals versus French game was more like a rock concert than a basketball game.
A sold-out crowd of 27,000 mostly French fans, barring a sprinkle of green and gold, beat their drums and belted out loud cries of support.
Fighting for their Olympic lives, the Opals largely blocked out the noise to record one of the most memorable victories by any Australian side.
The win also helped to take pressure off coach Sandy Brondello, who is under the blow torch to get a result after a quarter-final exit in Tokyo.
Brondello will be thrilled to reach the second round in Paris.
The Australians are busted with multiple players juggling injuries.
Jackson also didn’t take the floor against France – but she should feature in the quarter-final in Paris against an opponent yet to be determined.
For now, the Opals can dare to dream.
Anything could happen from here based on the fight they showed against the French.
Originally published as Opals beat France 79-72 to advance to basketball quarter-finals at Paris Olympics
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