Qualified Team Focus, Australia: Are the Opals looking likely to sparkle?

MIES (Switzerland) - The Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 lineup is now known and with the game schedule also confirmed, we're checking out the 12 nations bidding for glory at Paris 2024.

We're taking a look at Australia, who are the third highest placed team in the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike.

How they qualified

Australia finished top of the pile at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil. They went unbeaten at the vent with a 3-0 record and continued where they left off from on their last global outing at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 when they secured that memorable bronze medal.

Record at the Olympics

Appearances: 10 - 1984  (5th); 1988 (4th); 1996 (3rd); 2000 (2nd); 2004 (2nd); 2008 (2nd); 2012 (3rd) 2016 (5th) 2020 (8th); 2024
Medals: 5 -🥈(2000, 2004, 2008) 🥉(1996, 2012)

Last appearance 

While there was some excitement during the Group phase at Tokyo 2020 with a thrilling win against China, the Opals' last Olympic outing fizzled out quickly once they were drawn against USA in the Quarter-Finals. That led to a 79-55 loss and what always looked like an inevitable exit before the race for medals got serious.

The Group Phase 

Australia have been drawn in Group B which looks like a Pool that they could climb to the top of, although there is no doubt that France will have other ideas and this is one of the must-watch games to watch of the initial phase.

They will also face a physically demanding clash against Canada who won't be a pushover, while the Opals will be expected to dispatch Africa's flag-bearers, Nigeria. 

Australia Group Phase games

vs Nigeria (July 29)
vs Canada (August 1)
vs France (August 4)

Players to watch

Ezi Magbegor has been on fire in the past year or so and came out as the MVP in Belem, so she will be Australia's primary option in the paint. However, it is the Opals' overall depth that is perhaps their biggest asset, rather than 2 or 3 standout individual ballers.

The experience of center Marianna Tolo is always welcome as her size, strength and height means that as a rotation with Magbegor, Australia rarely look weak under the basket. Bec Allen and Alanna Smith add further physicality and skills in the forward spots, while Sami Whitcomb and Tess Madgen are a tough duo in the backcourt.

Qualified Team Focus series

During the coming weeks and months, we will continue to check out all teams ready to step out at Paris 2024 as part of our Qualified Team Focus series. You can already take a look at USA and China.

FIBA