After a shaky start to the Paris Games Australia’s women are on track for a medal after a 85-67 win set up a possible clash against USA
Australia’s women win 85-67 to set up possible clash against USAWhat a difference nine days make. In barely a week, the Opals have transformed themselves from tournament disappointments to genuine medal contenders.
Alanna Smith and Jade Melbourne led the scoring for the Opals, with 22 and 18 points respectively. Jovana Nogic was Serbia’s most dangerous player, contributing 17 points and five assists. The win will taste extra sweet after the eastern Europeans downed the Boomers, the Australian men’s team, But any sense of an emerging team eclipsing a waning powerhouse was immediately dispelled on Wednesday morning, as physical defence and potent offensive movement gave the Opals an immediate advantage. There was a moment halfway through the first quarter that symbolised the Australians’ energised approach, with team veteran Steph Talbot leaping for an intercept as Serbia made a wayward pass. The move did not come off, Talbot earning a personal foul for her efforts.
Any Serbian hopes of Australian complacency or profligacy in the third quarter were quickly dashed. Less than 24 hours before, the Serbian men had executed the biggest comeback in Olympic basketball history, recovering from a huge early deficit to beat Australia. But the traffic was all one way in the third: the lead growing once more to a 24-point advantage by the end of the quarter.
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