Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW
Australian Opals vs Turkey |
||
|---|---|---|
Women's FIBA World Cup, pool games. Time: Q4 10' |
||
| Santiago Martin Arena, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Spain | ||
| Australia | Turkey | |
| 90 | SCORE | 64 |
| 32 | Q1 | 19 |
| 21 | Q2 | 14 |
| 22 | Q3 | 16 |
| 15 | Q4 | 15 |
The Australian Opals will be looking to tune up and book their spot straight into the quarter-finals at the FIBA women’s World Cup when they take on Turkey in their final group game.
With only the top spot in each group assured of a place in the quarter-finals and the rest having to play an extra game tomorrow, the Opals are in pole position to do just that.
After a win over Nigeria and belting Argentina, a win here will ensure they finish top of Group B and move straight through to the quarter-finals on Friday.
A loss though and things could get interesting, with percentage coming into play. Given Nigeria are likely to belt Argentina in the other game today, all three sides could finish on two wins, with the South Americans on zero.
Let’s not get things twisted though – the Opals will enter this match as heavy favourites.
It’s hard to be critical of a 41-point win, but the Australian coaching staff need to be. There were issues in the win over Argentina, with the side regularly turning the ball over and committing sloppy fouls in defence.
While it didn’t hurt them against the pitiful shooting of Argentina, it will when they start to take on the bigger teams in the quarter-finals.
Liz Cambage has been their best so far, putting up big numbers in both games, but she needs more support than she is currently getting, with Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith and Tess Madgen doing a good job from the bench.
It was clear when Cambage was on the floor, Australia had one plan – pass to her and see what happens – and that needs to change if they are going to be a force in the competition.
Turkey could have made things really interesting with a winner takes all scenario in this game, but they fell to Nigeria by six points on Sunday.
It was a difficult loss for a side who started the tournament so positively against Argentina.
The combination of power forward Tilbe Senyürek and guard Isil Alben, alongisde Bahar Caglar will be crucial in this match if they hope to challenge the Opals.
Still, in a lot of ways, it was their defence which let them down against Nigeria. They need to get solid in the paint and attempt to slow down Cambage or things could get ugly early in the piece.
Prediction
Turkey will put up a stronger fight than Argentina did, but ultimately, they won’t be able to challenge the Australian side down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
Opals by 16.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Opals final pool game at the women’s World Cup from 8:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Tip-off: 8:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Santiago Martin Arena, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Spain
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now
Referees: Antonio Conde (Spain), Alexis Mercado Pacheco (Puerto Rico), Daniel Garcia (Venezuela)
Australia (expected)
Point guard: Katie Ezbery
Shooting guard: Cayla George
Small forward: Steph Albot
Power forward: Bec Allen
Centre: Liz Cambage
Bench: Jenna O’Hea, Tess Madgen, Alanna Smith, Alex Bunton, Ezi Magbegor, Tess Lavey, Samantha Whitcomb
Turkey (expected)
Point guard: Isil Alben
Shooting guard: Ayse Cora
Small forward: Bahar Caglar
Power forward: Tilbe Senyurek
Centre: Quanita Hollingsworth
Bench: Asena Yalcin, Olcay Cakir Turgut, Cansu Koksal, Tugce Canitez, Merve Aydin, Ilayda Guner, Esra Ural Topuz
Michael Prasser
Guest
Great to see Australia dominating Turkey. Had the belief and game plan to win. Aussie Aussie Aussie
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar's live coverage of the 2018 FIBA Women's World Cup. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back on Friday night for Australia's quarter-final. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So, Australia are the first side to book their spot in the final eight, with those matches to be played on Friday evening. Tomorrow, it's quarter-final qualifications. Group A One of Canada and France (play later today) will be through to the quarter-finals. The other plays quarter-final qualifications alongside the winner of Greece and South Korea. Group B Australia are through to the quarter-finals. Nigeria are favourites to beat Argentina and should go to the qualifier matches alongside Turkey. Group C If Spain beat Belgium, they go through to the quarter-finals. If not, Japan are likely to qualify, with Belgium and Spain into the qualifiers. Group D So long as Latvia don't beat the USA, it'll be America into the quarter-finals and Lativa joining Senegal in the qualifying matches.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Australia run it out and that will be that. A comprehensive win for the Opals as they exit the group stage at the World Cup 3-0. Australia - 90 Turkey - 64
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Turkey with a shot clock violation now. 21 seconds to go. Australia should just be able to dribble this out. Australia - 90 Turkey - 64
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Turkey, don't forget, now would prefer Nigeria to beat Argentina later today, otherwise, they will be relying on a percentage situation to move through. Australia - 90 Turkey - 64
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' This one just winding down now. Few more buckets each way, but both sides will have their eye on no injuries ahead of knockout games. Australia - 90 Turkey - 64
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Alben through the lane this time and she drops the shot. Turkey force a turnover this time, then they come back up the floor through Alben again who is doing most of the work for Turkey right at the moment. She passes and it's another miss. Australia - 86 Turkey - 60
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' A missed three from Alben, then Madgen creates some space, but misses the jumper from the high post. Australia - 86 Turkey - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Australia through Madgen, then it's a kick out to Whitcomb who sinks the three from the right corner. Australia - 86 Turkey - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Australia not taking their foot off the pedal here. Magbegor back onto the floor and she runs the lane now, dropping one in. Australia - 83 Turkey - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Smith with a pass to Allen, then she passes back outside to Whitcomb who misses the three. Yalcin back up the floor for Turkey, then it's Alben controlling things, before going the drive, kicking out and Senyurek misses. Offensive rebound, great defence from Madgen and that'll be a jump ball. Possession arrow with the Opals. Australia - 79 Turkey - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' The Opals will take timeout here. Australia - 79 Turkey - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Alben into the lane now. She kicks out to the corner, finds a wide open Turgun and she hits another three. Australia - 79 Turkey - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Allen makes both. Australia - 79 Turkey - 55
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Misses at both ends, then Allen goes running up the floor on the break for the Opals. She is fouled on the shot and will go to the free throw line for a couple. Australia - 77 Turkey - 55
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Yalcin lighting up here! She hits the second three in a row from the corner. Australia - 77 Turkey - 55
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Allen dribbles around the arc, then goes back out on the step back and misses the three. Australia turn it over on the offensive board before Madgen commits a foul as Turkey run back down the floor. Australia - 77 Turkey - 52
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Australia with a miss, then it's Yalcin down the floor, back out to Canitez and then Yalcin again who drops the three! Australia - 77 Turkey - 52