MILWAUKEE (Rio 2016 Olympic Games/NBA) - It didn't matter where you were from or what team you supported.

Anyone that saw the stunned looks and tears on the faces of Australia's players in the aftermath of their Bronze Medal Game defeat to Spain in Rio de Janeiro last month could only have felt sympathy for the Boomers.

Australia were in agony after their loss to Spain 

Within touching distance of a first medal at an Olympics or a FIBA Basketball World Cup, the Aussies suffered an 89-88 setback to the European giants.

With arguably the most talented national team in their history, a roster of men that played with finesse, flair and plenty of power, one that bonded off the court, the Oceania side left Brazil full of heartache.

Matthew Dellavedova certainly hasn't forgotten. Now in Milwaukee with his new NBA team, the Bucks, the former Cleveland Cavaliers playmaker has been talking about the experience of Rio.

"The Olympics, it was a tough finish for us," said Matthew Dellavedova this week at the Milwaukee Bucks media day. "The thing I've learned the most is all the little things matter."

After the start of the Rio Games, many believed Australia had the best chance of upsetting the United States in the Final if the two sides were to meet. The Americans had won a close contest against them in Group A.

For that title showdown to take place, the Boomers needed to overcome Serbia yet they failed spectacularly.

In their Group A meeting Australia broke open a close game midway through the fourth quarter and won, 95-80, over Serbia. In the Semi-Final, the Serbians turned the tables and walloped the Andrej Lemanis-coached team, 87-61.

Australia endured a nightmare in their Semi-Final against Serbia

Australia rebounded against Spain, having one of their best games in Rio, yet they lost. A late foul was called on Pat Mills while he was defending Sergio Rodriguez and the Spanish playmaker went to the line and made one free-throw to tie the game and then another to put the European giants on top for good with just several seconds remaining. 

"We'll get together next summer and talk about it and refocus our goals for four years in Tokyo." - Dellavedova

"That one still hurts," Dellavedova said. "I think the only thing that's going to make that go away is making sure we get it done in four years time.

"That's a group that’s been together for a long time, and we put a lot of time, energy and effort, pretty much a lifetime trying to get to that point. To come up short of something that hasn’t happened in Australian basketball was bitterly disappointing.

"Everyone in the team, the coaching staff and in Australia felt the same way. We'll get together next summer and talk about it and refocus our goals for four years in Tokyo."

Before Tokyo, however, Australia will attempt to get to the podium at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. To reach that tournament, they will have to be successful in the qualifying campaign which tips off in November of 2017.

There will be six windows for qualifying games to be played and the Australians will play half of those contests on home soil, giving the fans a chance to see their national teams take part in competitive games.

Seven teams will qualify for the World Cup.

FIBA