The Opals are a step closer to the podium in Paris after a scintillating performance against Serbia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday night.
Fuelled by 21-year-old guard Jade Melbourne and comeback queen Alanna Smith, Australia built on its budding momentum to win, 85-67, and set up a tantalising semifinal clash on Friday with the winner of USA vs. Nigeria.
After quarterfinal exits in Rio then Tokyo, Australia reaches the final four for the first time since London 2012.
With improved ball protection, greater intensity on defence and a multi-faceted offence humming, this Opals team is growing in form and confidence and is playing contrasting basketball to what it put on the court 10 days ago against Nigeria in one of the program's worst-ever losses.
MELBOURNE MAGIC
Jade Melbourne was born in 2002 smack bang in the middle of Olympic silver medals won by the Opals in Sydney and Athens.
In her debut Games and first Olympic final, the 21-year-old from Traralgon in regional Victoria rose to the occasion producing her best game in the green and gold.
With some early nerves and shaky moments in the opening two games, Melbourne repaid the faith coach Sandy Brondello had kept in her, by leaving the WNBA youngster in the starting line-up, with an influential first half.
She scored the opening Australian basket and was in everything in the second quarter scoring nine points. Like the pool opponents did in Lille, Serbia went after Melbourne physically but she maintained her composure and threw herself all over the floor in pursuit of the ball, dished out five assists, grabbed four boards and finished with 18 points at 67 per cent from the field.
Melbourne adds so much not just with her impressive skillset but contagious, youthful energy. All while sporting that trademark smile.
SUPER SMITH
A controversial omission from a home FIBA World Cup campaign in 2022, Alanna Smith's redemption story continues to reach new heights.
In career-best form in both Europe and the WNBA in the two years that have followed, the forward has emerged as the major play maker for the Opals in Lille and now Paris.
Smith hit 15 points in the loss to Nigeria, failed to score against Canada then tallied 12 against France on Monday morning.
She set the tone from the outset in the cut-throat quarterfinal not only on offence but with her rebounding and scrapping for the ball.
The 27-year-old was simply dominant with a double-double, which featured a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds, and was efficient from the field and, for the first time this tournament, the free throw line which she got to nine times. Smith also collected four assists, two steals and two blocks.
SITTING GOAT
Cutting an unusual figure in the green and gold tracksuit on the bench, Australia's greatest ever basketballer Lauren Jackson didn't clock any court time for a second consecutive game.
ESPN understands the 43-year-old isn't injured but will be fresh for this weekend's semifinal and a potential showdown with the USA - a blockbuster clash Jackson has played in many times before at Olympic level.
Keeping Jackson on ice is a luxury coach Sandy Brondello has enjoyed with Smith and Ezi Magbegor starting and Cayla George (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists) providing monster contributions off the bench meaning she hasn't had to max the superstar out in her fifth Games, 12 years on from her last.
Speaking of the bench, 11th-hour inclusion Amy Atwell, who replaced the injured Bec Allen, got on for just under seven minutes, while Kristy Wallace, who hasn't played since the opening pool game, and Isobel Borlase also hit the court for some valuable minutes ahead of the semifinal.
Most Popular
Comments / 0