The Opals will be playing for Olympic bronze after their latest effort to dethrone the mighty Americans was thwarted in an 85-64 semi-final loss.
Australia had its moments, but were no match for the Americans’ physicality and athleticism around the rim; the Opals falling to the ground was a common sight Friday at Bercy Arena.
Their Olympic head-to-head record now stands at 0-9 and the United States is on a 60-match winning streak at the Games as it seeks its eighth straight title on Sunday.
Only twice in that streak, since 1992, have they won by fewer than 10 points.
The Opals will have to bounce back quickly for their bronze medal match, which will be the last time veteran Lauren Jackson plays for her country.
Australia will be hoping to send the 43-year-old off with a medal and Jackson said it would mean the world to her after her incredible return to international basketball.
“There is one match left and we are going to get the bronze,” he said.
“It would mean everything,” he said.
“It’s going to be hard work but I think the girls are ready. Tonight everyone realises that we have to pay more to win and that’s fine. At my age it’s amazing to be back here. I have two children. They are my gold medals so it’s a dream come true to be here.
“It’s disappointing to lose, but we have to look forward. It’s going to be more difficult (than the World Cup). The Olympic Games are much more difficult than the World Cup. Everyone comes to compete and gives their all. It’s going to be difficult.”
Lauren Jackson will play her final game for the Opals at age 43 in the bronze medal match.
The Opals were unable to match the firepower of the U.S. team that featured a wealth of WNBA talent.
Jackie Young (14 points) and A’ja Wilson (10 points, eight rebounds) started well against the United States before two-time Olympic champion Breanna Stewart (16 points, six rebounds, five assists) took control.
Captain Tess Madgen (10) held firm while 19-year-old Isobel Borlase (11 points) impressed when given the chance in the final quarter.
“We felt like we could keep up with them and tonight we probably didn’t play the Opals style that we really wanted to,” Cayla George said.
‘We allow them to go out and run, do what they really like and what they are good at.
“We didn’t really get them caught up in an offense as much as we would have liked.”
On Sunday they will face the winner of the match between France and Belgium for the bronze medal.
“We will recover quickly,” George said.
‘I feel like we just need to get it resolved as quickly as possible.
“Everyone will do it in a different way. For me, I’m almost ready to play again tomorrow morning. Let’s get started with this medal match.”
Kahleah Copper tries to shoot over the suffocating defense of Opal Cayla George
There was plenty of emotion for an Opals team coached by New York Liberty boss Sandy Brondello and featuring seven current WNBA players on the team, plus former league star and Hall of Famer Lauren Jackson.
But they started off with problems: six turnovers and three blocked shots allowed the United States to lead by 10 points in the first five minutes.
Madgen steadied himself with five quick points and an expert assist from Sami Whitcomb as Jade Melbourne pulled within two points heading into the fourth quarter.
Jackson’s injection in the first quarter, primarily to defend Brittney Griner, also seemed to spark the team as confidence grew.
However, the United States quickly took the lead, denying Australia any real opportunities early in the second quarter and racking up 14 straight points to put the game away just minutes into the period.
The height advantage meant the United States were able to protect the rim and stifle the Australian attack.
Jewell Lloyd’s three-pointer made it 30-16, Cayla George hit a three-pointer in front of American stars Kevin Durant and Bam Adebeyo, a rare highlight in a quarter that ended 25-11.
The Opals tried to attack the rim but were constantly blocked, bouncing off the motionless bodies of the Americans and unable to get a free throw until the fourth quarter.
The Americans dominated the boards, gaining rebounds 46-34 and points in the paint 44-28.
The defeat snapped a brilliant three-match winning streak that had resurrected the Opals after a horrific opening game loss to Nigeria.
Australia is looking to return to the podium for the first time since 2012, when it claimed its fifth consecutive minor-category finish in London.
Jackson, 43 and in her fifth Olympic campaign, received hugs after the game from her American rivals and retired U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who was among the stars sitting courtside.
