After losing their opening match to France, Lauren Jackson‘s resurgence has helped the Opals to win five straight including a quarter final bout with Belgium. They now meet China for a spot in the final live on Kayo Freebies.
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Watch the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup here on Kayo Freebies and scroll down for all the news you need to know.
The Opals’ bronze medal match against Canada at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday (1 October) starts at 1.00pm (AEST), 12.30pm (ACST) and 11.00am (AWST) live and free on Kayo Freebies.
Where is the World Cup being held?
Sydney was named the host city for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in March 2020. This is the second time Australia has hosted the event, the last time being 1994 across four cities (Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston and Sydney).
It was known as the FIBA World Championship then, from 1953 to 2014.
When is the tournament?
The tournament is under way and takes place over 10 days from Thursday 22 September to Saturday 1 October, now at the semi-final stage.
Opals squad
The squad is headlined by the much anticipated return of global basketball legend Lauren Jackson after returning to competitive basketball for the Albury Wodonga Bandits in earlier this year at 40 and mother-of-two.
Her last appearance for the Opals was 2013, retired from professional basketball in 2016 due to chronic injury, just a matter of months out from the Rio Olympics, and this will be her first appearance at a World Cup since 2010.
Liz Cambage’s Opals career appears to be over following last year’s racial slur allegations in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games, and as recently as August, announced she was stepping away from the sport after parting ways with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Australian Opals
Bec Allen, Sara Blicavs, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson, Ezi Magbegor, Tess Madgen, Anneli Maley, Steph Talbot, Marianna Tolo, Kristy Wallace and Sami Whitcomb
The 12-player squad includes four WNBA players: Allen (New York Liberty), Magbegor (Seattle Storm), Whitcomb (New York Liberty), Wallace (Atlanta Dream) and Talbot (Seattle Storm).
The Opals’ World Cup campaign has received a major boost with star guard Bec Allen avoiding serious injury despite appearing to suffer suspected broken ribs in Sunday’s big win over Serbia. It was a final minute decision to decide if she would play the quarter final.
Groups
Group A
Puerto Rico, USA, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China and Korea.
Group B
Japan, Canada, Serbia, Mali, Australia and France.
Standings here.
The Opals were second in the group heading into Monday night’s clash against undefeated Canada, who they now play again in the bronze medal match on Saturday. That win on Monday night guaranteed them a quarter finals spot and then cemented that with a 17-point win over a feisty Japan. The Canadian team also had four wins in Group B.
Australia defeated Belgium 86-69 on Thursday night to continue the fairytale for Lauren Jackson which was halted against China in a devastating 61-59 loss. China meet USA in the final on Saturday afternoon.
Opals draw
Thursday, 22 September
Australia v. France, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 8.30pm (AEST), 8.00pm (ACST) and 6.30pm (AWST). Final score: 57-70.
Friday, 23 September
Australia v. Mali, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 8.30pm (AEST), 8.00pm (ACST) and 6.30pm (AWST). Final score: 118-58.
Sunday, 25 September
Australia v. Serbia, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 6.00pm (AEST), 5.30pm (ACST) and 4.00pm (AWST). Final score: 69-54.
Monday, 26 September
Australia v. Canada, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 8.30pm (AEST), 8.00pm (ACST) and 6.30pm (AWST). Final score 75-72.
Tuesday, 27 September
Australia v. Japan, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 8.30pm (AEST), 8.00pm (ACST) and 6.30pm (AWST). Final score 71-54.
Thursday 29 September
Quarter Final – Australia v. Belgium, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 8.30pm (AEST), 8.00pm (ACST) and 6.30pm (AWST). Final score 86-69.
Friday 30 September
Semi Final – Australia v China, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 7.30pm (AEST), 7.00pm (ACST) and 5.30pm (AWST). Final score 59-61.
Saturday 1 October
Final – Australia v Canada, Qudos Bank Arena, starting 1.00pm (AEST), 12.30pm (ACST) and 11.00am (AWST) followed by the Final, USA v China, all live and free on Kayo Freebies.
When was the last time the Opals won the World Cup?
2006 in Brazil.
How many have they won?
2006 was the Opals’ only title.
Who has won the most World Cups?
The USA have won the title 10 of 18 attempts and are aiming for four in a row in Sydney.
Tickets
Information about tickets for all matches can be found here.
Where can I watch the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup?
Every game of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup available on Kayo Freebies via ESPN.
Where can I watch more basketball?
You can watch the FIBA Women’s World Cup plus the upcoming NBL and NBA seasons, starting Saturday 1 October and Tuesday 18 October respectively, all live on Kayo.
The basketball news you need to know
You can read the latest updates and features from FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup here at CODE Sports.
SHANNON GILL spoke to Lauren Jackson about her comeback in Albury during August.
LINDA PEARCE on how Kristy Wallace recovered from two ACLs and won an Opals spot.
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