The Opals’ best hope is bronze – yet there are clear silver linings

Sometimes it’s difficult to look on the bright side.

Losing a game of basketball by 21 points – as the Opals did against Team USA on Friday night - might be one such time, and yet there were clear silver linings – the most clear being the performance of Olympic debutant Isobel Borlase.

Isobel Borlase broke through for the Opals.Credit: Getty Images

The 19-year-old came on late in the third quarter, played 14 minutes of game time, yet top-scored for the Opals with 11 points, looking immediately more composed and dangerous than her seasoned teammates.

That wouldn’t surprise the coaching staff, of course. They noted it back when they selected her on the team, assistant coach Cheryl Chambers pointing out that “Izzy” has that rare ability to quicken the game or slow it down according to need. “She’s not overawed by the moment,” Chambers said then. “I’m sure she’s nervous – don’t get me wrong – but she’s got quite a level head.”

Lauren Jackson was similarly full of praise for the young shooter. “I think today was a real coming of age moment for Izzy. In the fourth quarter, she showed signs that we haven’t seen in this Olympic tournament.”

A comprehensive loss is at least useful in that regard, noted head coach Sandy Brondello, for the opportunity it gives you to get minutes into young players like Amy Atwell and Kristy Wallace, but especially Borlase.

Lauren Jackson is playing in her fifth Olympics.Credit: AP

“She’s going to be a multiple Olympian – we think highly of her,” Brondello said. “Once that first one went in, you saw the confidence that she had. I think we’re going to need that going into the next game.”

The semi-finals loss to Team USA (85-64) means the Opals will play in the bronze medal game on Sunday (7.30pm AEST) against Belgium. This result, on the banks of the Seine, was always the likely outcome given the star power on the US women’s team, which has now won an astonishing 60 Olympic games in a row, including seven consecutive gold medals, stretching back to 1992.

“We had to play a perfect game today,” said Brondello, assessing the opponent. “You’ve got to believe that you can, and it wasn’t our best day here. I’m disappointed that we didn’t put up a better effort, but we need to park and still focus on trying to win that medal.”

Having adapted well in recent games to the physical nature of international basketball, the Opals regressed a little in this contest – the absence of their trademark fastbreak off turnovers most notable.

“I felt like we came out really flat,” said Brondello. “There wasn’t as much sense of urgency. I think the US had respect for us: they came out firing. But our shot selection wasn’t great, and they beat us back.”

The Americans were led by two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart (16 points), and another two-time WNBA MVP in A’ja Wilson (10 points), but it was the depth of their roster that stood out. When Brittney Griner is coming off the bench, every rotation is as daunting as the last.

“They’re always going to do what they want to do: they’re superstars,” said veteran Cayla George. “We didn’t play the brand we wanted to play, or execute some things we wanted to execute. And when you’re playing a team like that, you’ve got such a small margin for error.

“You really have to be on top of your game, being aggressive. We didn’t take it up to them enough. We were a bit hesitant. And they played well – they didn’t really miss a beat. It was what it was, but we bounce back the same as if we lost by one.”

That was the sentiment offered by the Opal of the moment, too.

“They’re a bunch of superstars,” said Borlase, “but we definitely think we’re a better team playing together, and we just didn’t pull it together tonight.”

The teenager and youngest Opal on the roster was still thrilled to get some extended time on the floor.

“It was great to get out there,” she said. “I think I’m definitely a rhythmic player, so just to get those minutes into my legs is good, and I’ll be ready whenever my name is called. Obviously disappointed about the loss, but we can still get the bronze medal, so that’s what we’re looking forward to now.”

If it were up to George, they would play even sooner.

“I feel like you just have to figure it out as quickly as possible,” she said. “For me, I’m almost ready to play tomorrow morning: let’s get this game started. Whoever we face, we’ll be ready and we’ll bounce back. We’re a resilient mob.”

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