USA/AUS – Donovan believes Opals are good even without Taylor

BEIJING (Olympics) – The Australians rolled up another big win on Tuesday at the Olympics by thrashing the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals but it came at a cost with Opals forward Penny Taylor spraining her ankle in the second half.

Taylor is now a big doubt for the Aussies’ semi-final against China and depending on the severity of the injury could miss the potential gold-medal game against the United States.

"I'm not even thinking about Australia,” Donovan said after her team’s 104-60 quarter-final win over Korea.

“If anyone starts thinking ahead we are in trouble.

“We know that our next game is the most difficult.”

Donovan did acknowledge that Taylor was a great player.

"Penny is extremely valuable to her team,” Donovan said.

“Our players know that because she was MVP of the World Championship and she also played a big role in Phoenix winning the title last season in the WNBA.

“But we also know that Australia have enough depth and confidence that they can play without their superstars."

Sylvia Fowles, who led the USA with 26 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Korea, wasn’t shy about offering her opinion on Taylor.

"Not to take anything away from Penny, but Australia is a very good team and we will have to keep the same focus regardless of whether she plays or not,” Fowles said.

“It doesn't change anything."

FIBA