World Cup audition: Opals host Olympic silver medallists Japan

The Australian Opals are ramping up preparations for the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, with three games against Japan starting Friday in Sydney.

Photo credit: FIBA

It’s now under four months until the FIBA Women’s World Cup takes over Sydney, and the Opals’ preparations will continue over the coming days as they face Japan in a three-game friendly series.

Playing Japan – a rising world power in women’s basketball – presents the Opals with the perfect opportunity to face a fast-paced team with plenty of weapons that will challenge the defensive-minded schemes that Sandy Brondello has implemented since the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics - who won’t be coaching due to WNBA commitments, with Cheryl Chambers taking on head coaching duties for this series.

Along with Brondello being away from the team, the rest of the Opals’ WNBA contingent will also not be taking part. With that in mind, these games will provide those battling it out for the final spots on the Opals World Cup team to shine and prove their worth.