LC
Years ago

Opals lost to France in World Cup prepartion

With under 2 weeks before the 2018 FIBA World Cup for Women tips off in Tenerife, Spain, the Australian Opals' preparations met some resistance in the form of world number three ranked France.

Tackling home side France for an exhibition game in Paris, the Opals took to the court minus star centre Liz Cambage, who has yet to join the team in Europe following the conclusion of her playoff campaign with the Dallas Wings in the WNBA. Despite a final quarter surge, the Opals could not overcome a horror 15-32 opening term to fall short 77-85.

Opals World Cup preparations stifled by French resistance

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Anonymous  
Years ago

Without Cambage... we are terrible.
Should have taken Whitcomb.

Reply #703737 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

Kinda tough with Storm in the WNBA Finals though now...she would not be available until the very eve of the World Cup!

Reply #703739 | Report this post


Very Old  
Years ago

better to have the problems now than in the tournament itself.

Reply #703741 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

WC...
Mitchell, Mansfield, Madgen, Bunton.

Olympics...
Wallace, Whitcomb, Blicavs, Tolo.

Reply #703750 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Why are Liz and Mitchell not with the team??

Reply #703756 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Exactly.

Reply #703758 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

They are. Just a friendly.
Mitchell just played finals.
Talbot didn't because she was out with concussion.
Probably won't risk Cambage too injury.

Reply #703759 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Seriously, how did Madgen make this squad?

Reply #703760 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

https://www.msn.com/fr-fr/sport/rugby-union/basket---les-bleues-déroulent-face-à-l'australie-85-77/vi-BBN3yih

Reply #703762 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Seriously, how did Madgen make this squad?


Agreed

This is not a good squad at all

Reply #703770 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Looks asthough brondello received a piece of paper with 20 names on it and just chosen the players she is most familiar with.

Madgen has been pretty woeful in her come back at seabl level. Did not deserve a recall after those recent international friendlies.
Mitchell has not had a great season at the Mercury.
Mansfield could barely bring the ball over half court against France.

Other options were available.
Could have had Whitcomb at sg + one/two of
Hurst- 24/12/6 QBL
Wilson- 15/6/12 SEABL
Donnelly- 17/7/8 QBL
as a back up pg to ebzery who has been running point a lot lately.

Reply #703772 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Stop putting Donnelly in the conversation at PG! She is nowhere near it, Hurst and Wilson should be in over Madgen

Reply #703781 | Report this post


Camel 31  
Years ago

sad to read smith in minus , why griffin went double double most of the time....
big difference there...

Reply #703785 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Much different opponent going from Argentina to France though.

Reply #703786 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

77-70 win vs Latvia.

Reply #703793 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

Australia have accounted for Latvia 77-70 in Paris as their preparations continue to build ahead of the 2018 FIBA World Cup for Women tipping off on 22 September in Tenerife, Spain.

The Opals bounced back from their difficult opening tour loss to world number three France, finishing strongly with a 27-19 final term to record a 7 point win. With Liz Cambage not suiting up for the second straight game, Alex Bunton grasped her opportunity to compile an impressive double-double, compiling 15 points and 14 rebounds as one of three Opals to score in double figure

Opals bounce back to edge Latvia in Paris

Reply #703797 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Whitcomb in for Mitchell due to injury.

Reply #703801 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Team is now...

Ebzery/Mansfield
Whitcomb/Ohea/Madgen
Allen/Talbot
George/Magbegor/Smith
Cambage/Bunton

Reply #703802 | Report this post


Camel 31  
Years ago

much more betterer not starting smith after her shocker last game ....

Reply #703819 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Anyone got a replay of these games?

Reply #703820 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Watching Garrick the other night, would have been a much better option than madgen.
Stroking it from 3 and playing good defense.

Reply #703821 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

If Sami Whitcomb shows up and spreads the court for Liz, the opals might have a good run at a top two finish!

Reply #703822 | Report this post


anon  
Years ago

""Looks asthough brondello received a piece of paper with 20 names on it and just chosen the players she is most familiar with.""

think you might be correct, and I doubt Whitcomb will be a good addition at all

Reply #703823 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Whitcomb is the best addition we could have had lol.
We have no one else better at the guard spot who is currently 100% fit.

Reply #703825 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Starting 5...
5'10 Ebzery PG
5'10 Whitcomb SG
6'2 Allen SF
6'4 George
6'8 Cambage C

Off the bench...
5'7 Mansfield PG
6'1 Ohea SG
6'2 Talbot SF
6'4 Smith PF
6'5 Bunton C

Limited minutes...
5'11 Madgen SG
6'4 Magbegor PF/C

Reply #703826 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Game against turkey.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxcwYB-uYoA

Reply #704105 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

Liz Cambage suited up and played for the first time in an exhibition game on tour as the Opals took care of Turkey 73-56 in the build up to the 2018 FIBA World Cup that tips off in Tenerife, Spain in a little over a week.

Cambage was devastating. The same day she was named All-WNBA First Team, the 6'8 centre amassed 23 points and 8 rebounds in leading the Opals to victory.

Cambage suits up as Opals take care of Turkey

Reply #704122 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Little odd having Cambage on the perimeter for the first qtr shooting 3s.
Maybe trying to limit foul trouble. Who knows...

Reply #704123 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Bunton, Mansfield, Ohea and magbegor need more gametime in the lead up.

Reply #704124 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Aus in four nations tournament before WC.
Aus, jap, esp, chn

China v aus at 5.30 pm today.

http://www.canalfeb.tv/video/china-vs-australia/19415

Reply #704225 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Awesome ^^ thanks for posting. Am getting very excited about the world champs. Go Opals!

Reply #704236 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Starts at 6 now I believe.

Reply #704238 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Big test for Liz with 2 girls her size.

Reply #704239 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Omg, Mansfield injured.

Lavey flying over. Lavey!

Reply #704241 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

OFFS! We're screwed

Reply #704250 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Brought in because of familiarity with the system....

Reply #704252 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Probably 4 better pg options that weren't on the 20 women list.

Reply #704253 | Report this post


ANON  
Years ago

Mansfield should never have been there to begin with , she was injured all SEABL season so was a risk, but Lavey doesn't help , watched the game V Turkey , it’s a shocking selection they have made, thought Brondello was a good coach ??????

Reply #704254 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

I'd say Goriss and chambers made the call.
Hurst, Wilson, Donnelly and even 18 y.o Conti are ahead of Lavey imo.

Reply #704255 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

game starts at 2.30am AEST

Reply #704277 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

any of the actual WC games getting shown on fta or just fox?

Reply #704281 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Just fox or livebasketball.com

Reply #704288 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Sorry livebasketball.tv

Reply #704289 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

I think Smith with a season or two as a pro will be really good. Just needs to learn not to make thise silly frustration mistakes

Reply #704295 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Smith will be very good. Knocking on the door of being drafted next year.

Magbegor needs a lot more development. Very late to close out and it looks as though they don't want her to use her athleticism. Standing straight up which is not her game.
We want her to block shots around the perimeter and in the post.

I'd argue that Aokuso is slightly more advanced at this time. Not as mobile but certainly more skilled, stronger, better perimeter shooter atm. Another player we will see a lot of in the next few years.

Bunton too looking very fit and mobile. Tolo getting to the Olympics is not a sure thing if alex keeps improving.

Reply #704296 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Madgen has looked quite comfortable handling the ball. Must have worked on that part of her game in the last year,

Reply #704297 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Lavey back in the squad now for the injured Mansfield.

Reply #704298 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

probably Ebzery will be the one who gets most minutes at pg though anyway.

Reply #704299 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

5'10 Ebzery/5'8 Lavey
5'10 Whitcomb/6'1 Ohea/5'11 Madgen
6'2 Allen/6'2 Talbot
6'4 George/6'4 Smith/6'4 Magbegor
6'8 Cambage/6'5 Bunton

Biggest squad by height. Average height of 6'2.

Reply #704300 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

It's a really versatile squad. Most players can play/defend multiple positions. The addition of Whitcomb gives some extra offense as she can create her own shot when we have that inevitable offensive breakdown.

Lavey isn't awful - she sets up on offense well and defends well. My reason for going with Mansfield is more that Lavey isn't as aggressive as she used do be- first Lynx season for example.

Reply #704308 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Lavey has potential, but no coach has gotten the best out of her.
Same goes for Clydesdale, speed to burn but restricts herself around the perimeter instead of opening up the defense. I Wish they had more confidence in attack.

Even pthough they are both in there mid 20s and still have a full cycle of asia, world and Olympic tournaments ahead, It looks asthough they will both lose out to younger prospects in the not too distant future.

Reply #704311 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

It was a bittersweet 24 hours for the Australian Opals just 1 week out from opening their 2018 FIBA World Cup campaign. Lauren Mansfield succumbed to injury and was replaced in side by Tessa Lavey, before going on to demolish China 84-54 in the opening game of their final warm up tournament in Spain that also features the host nation and Asian rivals Japan.

Mansfield replaced by Lavey as Opals trounce China

Reply #704316 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Opals were not "trouncing “ China until the second half, with Cambage out it gave them a much better pace,she really slows things down with her jog up the crt, they still some really shocking plays, too many mistakes.
O'Hea and Bunton both sitting out that game, Bunton with heavily taped lower leg, she’s way to injury prone, why do they insist on taking players who are not 100% fit .
Lavey I think has reached her peak, what you see is what you get, short bursts occasionally.
Watching the game V China and the one V Turkey no player on that team really stood out with the exception of smith , who still had some “WT" moments .

Can’t see this team doing well , but happy to be wrong , would be good to medal that’s for sure.

Reply #704319 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

We can medal.
Spain, France, Canada, Japan, Australia are after silver and bronze.

Think we have a shot at bronze.
We can beat Canada and Japan in the post. Question is can we slow them down in transition and defend the perimeter.

Spain are also undersized in the post but they have been together for so long and share the ball so well.
A much improved France will be tough. A veteran frontcourt with a youthful and exciting backcourt in epoupa and johannes.

Canada are a pretty balanced side. Good team and only getting better.

Reply #704321 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

Pretty good assessment. At an event like this, anything can happen. It can come down to what happens on the day.

Reply #704340 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

Pretty good assessment. At an event like this, anything can happen. It can come down to what happens on the day.

Reply #704341 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Lavey's peak was that first season in Perth when she was taking threes with confidence (and hitting them) and playing high energy defence. She seems to have declined every since then. She is still steady but unless she is hitting from the perimeter she provides nothing on offence other than just advancing the ball.

Reply #704355 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Exactly, which is not on at that level. That's why it keeps being Mitchell's spot. It's also why Ohea needed more time in the lead up. At least she gives us size on the defensive end and can run the point as well as any of our other options and better than most

Reply #704356 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Spain just beat Opals by 3. flattering margin as they were up 13 with 3 min left though Cambage, Ohea, Bunton, Whitcomb DNP. @MicheleMenso seems to be the person to follow on twitter for opals news

Reply #704358 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

lavey 1/7
magbegor 2/10
george 1/10

Reply #704359 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Surprisingly china beat Japan but no team is playing there top players.
Really not a good indication of what it might be like in the tournament.

Reply #704362 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

So..
WC ending injuries for Mitchell and Mansfield.
Ohea and bunton also seem to be having issues.
Not great... very heavy scedule before the WC. About 7 games in 2 weeks...

Reply #704363 | Report this post


LC  
Years ago

No Cambage, O'Hea, Bunton or Whitcomb and the Opals fall to Spain.

Spain's experience shines through against undermanned Opals

Reply #704364 | Report this post


Waves2Lynx  
Years ago

Doesn't seem like they've had the best prep and those injuries obviously suck. Hopefully things get together when the games start in earnest.

Reply #704419 | Report this post


Waves2Lynx  
Years ago

Whats the best website or place to follow the news for this world cup? (apart from official site obvs)

Reply #704509 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

I'd tell you but unfortunately they're not obvious enough for me to know about.

Reply #704553 | Report this post




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