Roar Guru
The Australian Opals will open their account in the Commonwealth Games tonight against a young Mozambique at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9pm (AEST).
Some of the best female basketballers from across the globe in Townsville tonight as an expected comprehensive victory for the Opals awaits.
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Built on the back of star centre Liz Cambage, every WNBL club will be represented in the squad which sees an even spread of talent across its formation.
Although it remains to be seen how much time the whole team gets, the Opals will pride itself on experienced stars such as Belinda Snell and Stephanie Talbot, and three-time WNBL champion and hometown hero Cayla George looking to put on a show.
Mozambique have few stars such as power forward Ingvild Mucauro, perhaps a household name back home, but by no means recognisable in the Australian arena.
While they’re happy to be competing once again at the games, perhaps it’s more about pride and learning from the world’s best than winning games for the Mozambicans.
The FIBA ranking for the southern African nation is 26th, however at the only other occasion that basketball has featured at the Games in 2006, they finished in a respectable 5th, however a long way short of Australia’s gold.
Prediction
Aussies by 30+
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Opals’ opening match at the Commonwealth Games from 9:00pm (AEST).