The Australian Opals let an automatic quarterfinal slip against Belgium at Berlin Arena today going down 80 – 68 in a battle.
It was a grind until the end, but it was the sharpshooting Belgian Cats that charge through to the quarters.
It means the Opals will need to run the table through a qualification final against the loser of China and Italy which plays at 8:45pm (Berlin)
Ezi Magbegor led the way in scoring with 15 in the bronze medal rematch. Jade Melbourne was relentless driving the ball and finished with 10 points, six assists.
Zitina Aokuso had the best game of her young career and battled well against a bigger Belgian team.
Boxscore available here
Q1
The Opals were back on the main stage at Berlin Arena and a passionate and loud contingent of travelling Aussie fans packed a punch against an overwhelming Belgium crowd.
Isabelle Bourne got the start again as Alanna Smith remains day to day. It didn’t take long to get her involved with Bourne landing a crucial three to stem an early burst from the Belgian Cats.
A frenetic exchange of offensive forays ensued, and the difference between the teams was making the most of their looks.
Australia looked most dangerous from offensive rebound or turnovers out on the run and clearly had a step of pace against the Cats on the break. A nice fadeaway jumper by Isobel Borlase on the buzzer brought it back to 23 - 17 to Belgium at the first break.
Q2
Issy Borlase kept it going in the second with a nice move and layup. Belgium continued to take advantage of wayward shooting and owned defensive rebounds to extend to an early 10-point lead.
The Opals never say die attitude was there though and some big buckets by Magbegor, Melbourne and Aokuso charged the Aussies back.
Melbourne continued to be unavoidable problem for the Cats. And the team continued to force turnovers with a chippy approach to jumping passes.
Belgium led 40 -33 at half-time.
Q4
With a spot in the quarterfinals on the line the Opals battled. Their defensive zone and pressure ensured that the Cats lead was graspable. Zitina Aokuso put in solid shift towards the end of the third and cut Belgium’s lead again to six with 2:52 to play in the third.
Whenever the Cats looked like they were going to break away. It always seemed Jade Melbourne showed up to make a play.
But then one of the Cats many weapons would pour ice on any potential comeback.
Eventually the Opals ran out of gas and succumbed to a 12-point defeat.
The next challenge will have higher stakes. An elimination final against the loser of Italy and China, which plays tonight at 8:45pm Berlin time.
