From www.theaustralian.news.com.au
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Australia great Michelle Timms admitted she shed tears of joy and emotion when Australia defeated Russia for the world basketball championship yesterday morning.

While delighted with the Opals success, Timms has warned the Australians must be on their guard in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics following the US's absence from the gold-medal decider at the 2006 world championships.

The all-conquering US side, which has beaten Australia for the gold at the last two Olympics, was beaten by Russia in the semi-final last Friday. Yesterday the shell-shocked US beat Brazil for the bronze medal.

"This sets us up for an interesting Olympics in Beijing," said Timms who captained the Opals during her long playing career and suited up 241 times for Australia.

"I think the Americans will now be hungrier than ever for a win.

"It makes it scary going into Beijing with the Americans losing. I'm sure they are already working on the process going into Beijing. They will be firmly focussed on getting that gold back."

Timms, who said she believes Australia would have beaten its US nemesis if it had made the final, was yesterday overwhelmed by the feats of the current Opals side.

"I'm just so proud of the girls. I'm still so excited. Every time I think about it I shed a tear," said the former Australia guard who also played and coached in the American Women's Basketball League.

"It makes me unbelievably proud being a past Opal.

"There wasn't one ego out there. They were just a team. Hats off to them.

"Two gold medals (Commonwealth Games and now world championships) in one year. It's not a fluke. They are the real deal."

"I'm so proud of them."

Opals coach Jan Stirling yesterday admitted she is well aware the US - along with a number of other nations including China, France, Czech Republic - will be doing their utmost to dethrone the Opals in the lead-up to and at Beijing.

"We will savour the moment but we can't stand still," she said.