From www.theaustralian.news.com.au
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The Australian women's basketball team received a rapturous welcome after returning home today with world championship gold medals draped around their necks.

The Opals secured the first ever world championship or Olympic gold medal for any senior Australian basketball side with a 91-74 win over Russia in Sunday's final in Brazil.

The Jan Stirling-coached side walked out to a gathering of over 200 people at Sydney Airport today, the MVP of the tournament Penny Taylor the only one not to return home after staying behind in Brazil to attend a wedding this weekend.

Attention quickly turned to the side's chances of winning an elusive gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but Opals captain Lauren Jackson said she wanted to enjoy the spoils of victory first.

"I'm just so happy that we won the world championships - for this week I'm just focusing on having fun," Jackson said.

"I haven't been home in six months, (I'm) going to see my friends, having a party.

"I'll think about Beijing in a week."