Opals blitz Brazil, advance to final

The Australian Opals have overcome a raucous home crowd to defeat host nation Brazil in an epic victory at the 2006 FIBA world championship for women in Sao Paulo 88-76.

Penny Taylor scored 26 points to lead Australia while Belinda Snell had 22 points and Lauren Jackson had 19 points and seven rebounds in support.

Izzie Marques scored 16 points to lead Brazil.

The scores were tied after the opening quarter, 21-21, and at half time Brazil held the barest of leads, 40-39.

To the endless beat of a samba drum, the Brazilians rose in the third quarter to lead 64-57, putting the Opals world championship dream on the line.

But in euphoric fashion, the Opals fought back to take the lead and behind great defence they powered home from there, winning the last quarter 31-12.

The Opals will play the gold medal match against Russia at the 2006 FIBA world basketball championship for women in Brazil on Sunday.

Tip off time will be 2:00pm Saturday local, which is 3:00am Sunday AEST. The game will be replayed on Fox Sports Two at 12:30pm on Sunday.

Russia shocked the world by defeating Team USA 75-68 today and it will have to be at its potent best again to take down the determined Aussies.

Australia’s starting five of Kristi Harrower, Belinda Snell, Penny Taylor, Lauren Jackson and Jenny Whittle has been outstanding throughout the tournament – and so has the rest of the team.

Not once, but twice they took down host nation Brazil and they have won 8 games on the trot.

Only powerhouse Russia now remains on the Opals’ golden path.

Match Details:

AUSTRALIA 88 – Taylor 26, Snell 22, Jackson 19

BRAZIL 76 – Marques 16, Oliveira 13, Souza 10

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Opals defeat France for seventh straight win (Thurs Sep 21)