- Opals suffered a shock defeat to Nigeria at the start of the Games
- Save their campaign in Lille on Sunday
Clutch Cayla George scored a decisive goal to beat France by seven points, lifting the Opals from obscurity, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Paris Games and avoiding an early clash with the United States.
Australia’s Olympic revival in Lille continued on Sunday with a 79-72 defeat to previously unbeaten France, a dramatic conclusion to the women’s basketball tournament’s group stage before the game heads to Paris.
The victory, after a shock opening defeat to Nigeria and a loss to Canada, saw them progress to the last eight.
But more importantly, the win moved them into second place in their group and avoids a potential quarter-final clash with eight-time reigning champions the United States when the draw is completed later on Sunday.
The US has not lost an Olympic Games since 1992. They are currently on a winning streak of 58 games.
To overtake Nigeria and finish second in the group, they needed to win by six points. In the final quarter, they had built up an eleven-point lead, but with four minutes left to play, that lead was reduced to one point.
The margin then danced around the magic figure, Sami Whitcomb’s amazing drive to the bucket was cancelled out by a triple from Marine Johannes.
With 33 seconds left and a four-point lead, George saved a failed attacking move by firing her shot from mid-range on goal.
Opals star Sami Whitcomb went wild on the court after Australia saved their Olympic campaign by beating France on Sunday
Whitcomb (left) and teammate Tess Madgen (right) were elated when the buzzer sounded and the green and gold emerged victorious with seven points.
Johannes’ next three-pointer was not scored, Steph Talbot made two free throws and Australia led by eight and were happy to give up a layup rather than concede another three-pointer.
George, who had earlier scored a three-pointer, managed to shoot the ball in from the free throw line.
“Oh my god, I’m so anxious… when I think about the scenarios, the last game of the day, the 9pm game, it’s almost bedtime, I’m 35,” George said.
“That was a medal game for us. If we lose this, we’re out. If we win by less than six points, we’re potentially a crossover with the US.
“It’s not really the easiest way to do it, but we’re definitely finding our way when our backs are against the wall. We’re really finding out who our true character is.”
Steph Talbot is pictured blocking a shot from France’s Leila Lacan during the victory
The victory was celebrated by stars Alanna Smith (right) and Cayla George, who celebrated wildly on the court, meaning the Opals did not have to face the mighty USA in the quarter-finals.
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Sami Whitcomb, 36 and making her Olympic debut, continued her stellar form with 12 points, seven assists and one late turnover.
Steph Talbot had seven points, six rebounds and five assists, Tess Madgen (18 points) and Alanna Smith (12 points) all scored, but Lauren Jackson was unused.
If Australia lost, they would fail to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1992, when they failed to qualify for the Games.
They won four medals in a row, but missed the semi-finals in the last two editions, being defeated in the quarter-finals by the USA, ending a disappointing campaign in Tokyo.
France won their first two games by 20 points and defeated Australia in three of their last four meetings.