Three key factors: Fight for survival between Serbia and Brazil

BELEM (Brazil) - The first gameday of the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belem featured a pair of nailbiters. 

The action at Arena Guilherme Paraense was full of drama across both games, with both Serbia and Brazil suffering tough losses decided in the final minutes. It’s often said that the devil is in the details, and with the difference between victory and agony so small, the dynamics that tipped the scales had an outsize importance. 

 

 

Those details will be important as the teams will be set to take the courts again on a super Sunday in two important games. One of those important games will be the one between the teams searching for their first wins, Serbia and Brazil.

Here are three key factors from the opening day that will affect the outcome of their second game:

Serbia vs Brazil

1. SERBIA COULDN’T GET THEIR OUTSIDE SHOTs GOING EARLY

Serbia went as their long-range accuracy went. 

Marina Maljkovic’s squad missed all 10 of their three-point attempts in the first half, only managing to score 21 points and finding themselves in a 15-point hole heading into halftime.

It was a completely different story from the third quarter on, as they shot 6-17 (a respectable 35.3 percent) the rest of the way and clawed their way back into the game.

Yvonne Anderson missed all four of her attempts and Jovana Nogic only shot 2/10 from downtown, but one of her bombs actually gave Serbia their first lead of the game (61-59) midway through the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately, Serbia only managed to make 1 of 5 attempts down the stretch and couldn’t hold onto their lead.

It will be important to get out ahead in a hurry against Brazil, especially considering where they are playing for this upcoming game.  

2. BRAZIL RELIED TOO MUCH ON KAMILLA CARDOSO AND SHE HAD A QUIET NIGHT

After her performance during the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup, where she was named MVP and dominated the gold medal game against USA, it’s only natural that Brazil would lean heavily on Kamilla Cardoso.

After all, she’s their best player – a skilled center capable of dominating in both paints.

However, Brazil put too much on her shoulders early on and that caused their offense to stall. Cardoso was guarded efficiently in the post and her playmaking skills couldn’t make up for her lack of quality touches.

She ended up shooting 4-8 from the field for 11 points, scoring roughly half of Brazil's 22 points in the paint. She did well by not forcing the action, but her teammates couldn’t reap all the benefits of her gravity.

Brazil went a respectable 7-19 from beyond the arc, but only 12-34 on two-pointers, as Damiris Dantas, Tainá Paixao and Débora Costa struggled against Australia’s superior length.

Look for Cardoso to be more assertive against Serbia and for José Neto to involve her more effectively in the action.

3. THE ATMOSPHERE AT ARENA GUILHERME PARAENSE

Australia built up their game-high 14-point lead after holding Brazil scoreless for nearly 6 minutes before the first half came to a close.

That kind of run would generally dishearten the trailing team - but Brazil never backed down. The spirited play of Leila Zabani or Caca Martins led Brazil all the way to tie the game up in the fourth quarter and even though it was not enough to get the win, Brazil's message was clear.

 

This was their house and they won't take a defeat rolling over.

There was no doubt that the roar of the fans at Arena Guilherme Paraense - loud enough to drown out blown whistles at some points of the game - added a bit of boost to Brazil's bounce. And that will be one of the key advantages that Brazil will be able to utilize going up against Serbia.

This time, however, they will have to finish the job by staying in the lead at the final buzzer.

FIBA