Is defense and desire destined to the calling card of Allen and Australia?
BELGRADE (Serbia) - Heading into the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Australia might not easily find a high degree of defensive intensity.
"We are all wanting to win and we're trying to just get better."
After all, unlike everyone else in the competition, they landed on Serbian soil safe in the knowledge that as hosts in Sydney, their place at the main event was not in jeopardy. Such things can invite complacency and catapult you into the comfort zone.
I challenge you to find me a better 24 seconds of defence.
— Hayley Wildes (@wildes_hayley) February 10, 2022
Absolutely relentless from all five players on the floor - switching, active hands & a pure want to defend.
Brondello talked about the team finding their defensive identity. This is it.#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/KGyfVuaKKm
But in direct contrast to finding themselves sleep walking through opening day, the Opals came out and made a statement against Brazil. They actually set the kind of defensive tone that could serve them well not only here in Belgrade - but also beyond.
As they look to build new connections all over the court in the wake of several new faces having stepped into the camp, it might just be be the case that it is defense which binds everyone and everything together. It surely must become their calling card.
While it was certainly the team that impressed most with their collective work, there's no denying that 1.88m (6'2") forward Bec Allen was central to sparking the rearguard effort with her 6 steals.
When questioned about whether she was worried that the Opals would struggle with their status of having already qualified before the action got underway, the 29-year-old just smiled.
"It's definitely a different situation for us, but it doesn't change anything," she insisted.
Just by looking at these photos you can tell things are going pretty well for @BasketballAus! 😤💪#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/Sq9ad3W1oY
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) February 10, 2022
"We're on a road trying to get to exactly where we want to be as a team and culture wise, we're together and playing hard every single game. We are all wanting to win and we're trying to just get better, so even though we already qualified (as hosts) that is not even in any of our minds."
Such words will be music to the ears of Opals' fans as their team heads into Saturday's game with Serbia at 21:00 CET - an opponent that is no stranger to impressive defense themselves.
Meanwhile in the other Group A contest, Brazil face Korea at 18:00 CET.
FIBA
