BASKETBALL: Australia will know if their chances of finishing on top in their group of the women’s basketball competition are alive or dead before they play Canada on Day 9.

France, the unbeaten leaders in Group B with eight points from four wins, will play Russia in the opening match of the day. The Aussies and Canadians will take to the court for game three.

The Opals need Russia to beat France, and then they need to beat Canada to finish on top and get their easiest possible opponents from Group A in the quarter-finals. The top team in each of the two groups plays the fourth-placed team from the other group.

Australia finishing top of the group would also ensure they couldn’t run into tournament favourites the USA before the final, presuming the Americans win their group.

The USA lead Group A, and will play second-placed China today. The Czech Republic is currently fourth in Group A.

Australia seriously damaged their chances of winning their group when they lost to France in overtime on Day 3, but the Russians are capable of doing them a big favour by beating France.

The Opals had a tough game against Russia on Day 7, before winning 70-66.

Greg Prichard
olympics.com.au