Brondello added this is a resilient team, despite the obvious challenges including a limited preparation and the impact of the pandemic, the Opals are ready to go. 

The campaign for Tokyo gold all starts tonight after an eventful time in Las Vegas, that saw them beat the USA and have a star player withdraw, Brondello says her team is in great shape. 

"The win against the US was a great confidence boost, where our great defence created the offence to get us the win." 

The Australian women’s basketball team has such a rich history at the Olympic Games and the only colour yet to grace the trophy cabinet is gold. 

The Opals are in Group C and the first game is against the tough Belgium outfit whose stocks have risen over the past few years. The European side came fourth at the World Cup in 2018 and took bronze in the women’s Eurobasket. 

Brondello said, “Belgium are a very dangerous team that fourth at the World Cup brought them onto the World Stage.” 

The Opals coach acknowledging Emma Meesseman, the Washington Mystics star forward, is the one they need to stop. 

Brondello proudly said they are a together team and that goes back to when she played in four Olympic games for the Opals. It is like playing with your best friends. 

Culture matters to this team and it is part of the unique magic of the Opals that has seen them win Olympic and World Championship medals, adding that going to the Games as a coach is very different to being a player and she paid tribute to all her supports staff who she says will be crucial for the team to reach that goal on top of the podium. 

And finally, the coach is happy the body suits are back. 

Brondello said with a smile, “It won’t win us the Gold Medal but if we look good, we feel good and we might go out a play well as well.” 

Tim Gilbert