Opals finish top of group thanks to Serbian assist, will face Belgium in quarter-finals

The Novak Djokovic affair must now be forgiven as Serbia gave the Australian Opals a tournament-saving gift which has helped them to the best possible path to the medal rounds at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Sydney.

The Opals had to withstand a typically speedy, pressing game from the Japanese but they gradually outlasted them, riding a 20-9 third quarter to a match-winning lead.Marianna Tolo was again a tower of strength for the Opals while Sami Whitcomb found her shooting range in the second half, finishing with 14 points.

The Opals pushed their lead out to eight points early in the third, and led 56-43 going into the last quarter. Mali coach Joaquin Brizuela chose to play both players in their final group game, an 88-65 loss to Canada, because he felt it made his side more competitive than if they left out. Mali was only invited to the World Cup after Nigeria self-suspended itself from international play after a series of feuds with FIBA over the national government’s influence over their basketball federation.

Mali will play its final game today against Canada at 4pm AEST, meaning any penalty will come post-tournament.Four years ago, Puerto Rico fell to Belgium by 50 points en route to a win-less exit from their first FIBA Women’s World Cup.

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