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The Australian Opals have produced their worst game of the Rio Olympics, marred by turnovers, going down by two points to Serbia in the quarter-finals, in a massive upset.
The Opals came up with a ridiculously high 26 turnovers, and as a result struggled to every build a lead.
When they could go a few minutes without making a turnover, it was clear who the better team, but even then Australia’s defence was slow and their movement off the ball on offence was lazy.
This was a complete contrast to Serbia, fighting hard for every possession, every loose ball and every point at both ends of the floor.
It followed the trend right throughout the tournament for the Opals, where they struggled to build a lead against most teams because of their laziness on defence, and turnovers on offence.
Serbia had to weather a big storm named Liz Cambage, but they managed to get through that, getting her into foul trouble and from there they managed to hold a lead through the final few minutes of the fourth quarter.
Their best player was easily Ana Dabovic, who scored 24 points. While she only shot at about 45 per cent, she found herself at the free-throw line plenty of times and was tenacious on defence.
Her sister, Milica Dabnovic, played an incredible game on the defensive end and was responsible for a number of turnovers, while Jelena Milojanovic and Sonja Petrovic had good games too.
The way they played though, taking into account their defence, meant it was a complete team effort.
The Opals lacked spark on the offensive end, and if Cambage wasn’t out there – she ended with 29 points and 11 rebounds, in another double-double effort – it was a question of where their next point was coming from.
Apart from brief sparks from Rachael Jarry and Leilani Mitchell, the Australian’s struggled to stay consistent and constantly invited Serbia back into the match.
Heading into the final quarter, Serbia were down by a point, before taking the lead in the back end, with Australia continuing to turn the ball over.
The match became physical and scrappy, with plenty of fouls and ugly challenges through the back end, but Serbia held the lead into the final 60 seconds.
Dabovic then got sent to the free-throw line with ten seconds to go after an intentional foul. She made one to put Serbia up by two, and Leilani Mitchell then couldn’t make anything happen for the Opals, with the buzzer expiring before they could make a shot.
In the end, Serbia out-hustled and out-played Australia to take a two-point win.
Serbia now go on to play the winner of Spain and Turkey in the semi-final.
Score
Serbia 73
Australian Opals 71
Statistics
Two-point field goals: Australia (52%), Serbia (39%)
Three-point field goals: Australia (33%), Serbia (31%)
Free-throws: Australia (71%), Serbia (71%)
Offensive rebounds: Australia (15), Serbia (17)
Defensive rebounds: Australia (31), Serbia (17)
Assists: Australia (25), Serbia (16)
Turnovers: Australia (26), Serbia (9)
Steals: Australia (6), Serbia (16)
Blocks: Australia (7), Serbia (1)
Fouls: Australia (22), Serbia (19)
Fast break points: Australia (11), Serbia (12)
Points in the paint: Australia (38), Serbia (32)
Bench points: Australia (18), Serbia (14)
Stats leaders
Australia
Points: Liz Cambage (29), Rachael Jarry (14), Erin Phillips, Leilani Mitchell (10)
Assists: Penny Taylor (9), Rachael Jarry, Erin Phillips (4)
Rebounds: Liz Cambage (11), Marianna Tolo (7), Leilani Mitchell (5)
Serbia
Points: Ana Dabovic (24), Jelena Milojanovic (17), Sonja Petrovic (13)
Assists: Sonja Petrovic (5), Sasa Cado (4)
Rebounds: Sonja Petrovic, Sasa Cado, Dajana Butulija, Danielle Page (4)