Wally's feistiness helps Opals down Japan

Driven by Kristy Wallace's ferocious defence, the Australian Opals pulled away to win 71-54, top Group B, and carry momentum into the quarterfinals.

Credit: FIBA

The Australian Opals headed into the final group game against Japan with welcome news buzzing through the camp.

Serbia’s earlier victory over France meant a win over Japan would secure a top two finish in Group B, which meant Australia would avoid either the USA or China at quarter final stage. “It impacted us a lot,” Steph Talbot told The Pick and Roll. “We were watching in the lobby and then in the change room. We were watching closely but still focusing on our game. Serbia did us a big favour, and it was good knowing everything came through for us.”

“[The Serbia result] gave us a bit of extra motivation,” Marianna Tolo shared, following the Japan game. “Sometimes, it can be tricky because you can get a bit complacent thinking ‘Well, they’ve done their job, let’s just roll in and get the win’, but we knew how hard Japan are. We’ve played them so many times in the past, and they’ve got wins on us so much, so to be able to dig deep and get this win is awesome.”

During the subsequent evening draw, Belgium was confirmed as their next opponent.