Australia aiming to go one better

LONDON (Olympics) - Nobody in women’s basketball has managed to knock as loudly on the door of Olympic gold than Australia.
 
Their FIBA world ranking of the number two team in the world is certainly apt after losing three successive Olympic Games Finals in the wake of their bronze medal in Atlanta during 1996.
 
But, until the Opals finally put their nemesis the USA to the sword and grab that elusive gold, there will always be a sense of unfinished business for some of the biggest names in women’s basketball.
 
Time is running out for the likes of Suzy Batkovic, Penny Taylor and Lauren Jackson and it remains to be seen if this will be their last shot at Olympic glory.
 
Perhaps many neutral fans will be willing Australia all the way to the top of the podium in London just so the likes of Jackson in particular can get a medal which many lovers of the women’s game feel as a true great, she so richly deserves.
 
It’s not that Australia don’t know what it feels like to taste that winning feeling at the global level. The Opals experienced their finest hours six years ago when they finished top of the pile and grabbed gold at the FIBA World Championship Women although they were unable to defend their title during 2010 when they finished in fifth spot.
 
Australia certainly has the talent and aside from the headline names, they have a superb supporting cast who are excellent players in their own right and none more so than the likes of Belinda Snell and Erin Phillips.
 
Most excitingly of all, there is a new generation of stars beginning to emerge with the stellar talented Liz Cambage leading the way having shown she can stand out at the top level with some stunning performances in the Czech Republic two years ago.
 
Another relatively young player who has made great strides recently is Abby Bishop and having matured considerably, the forward could be a factor not only in London but especially beyond.

With superb size, strength and athleticism, Australia will be hard to stop. Some players will sacrifice WNBA commitments to be ready and that will be important.

However, Australia will need to up their perimeter shooting percentage if they are to be successful otherwise opposing teams will just swarm all over and smother the frontcourt players. They also need to take better care of the ball after arguably averaging too many turnovers in recent times.

Perhaps the real key to success for Australia will be to not get ahead of themselves when the tournament tips-off. Like any frontrunner, they must firstly get to the latter stages and to the Final before they think of gold.
 
As the FIBA World Championship in 2010 showed, nothing can be taken for granted and the Opals will have to be at the peak of their powers if they have any chance of making it fourth time lucky after their three successive silver medals.