Australia captured an 87-71 victory over Turkey in the Women’s Basketball World Cup, a result that locked the Opals into the final phase with two wins already in the bag.
Ezi Magbegor led the Australian attack with 21 points, while Turkey’s Sevgi Uzun answered with 24, but the Opals quickly erased an early deficit and controlled the tempo for the remainder of the game.
Injury concerns arose when Goksen Fitik suffered a right‑ankle issue in the third quarter, only to return for the fourth, and the Australian roster featured seven players making their World Cup debuts, underscoring the depth of the squad.
Team captain Sami Whitcomb was absent from the tournament due to a lingering knee injury, yet the Australians managed to maintain their momentum without their veteran leader.
Australia’s Path to the Final Phase
The upcoming showdown against Belgium on Monday looms large, as a win could hand Australia a direct route to the quarterfinals, while a loss would force a more circuitous path through the classification stage.
Facing Belgium will be a pivotal test, with the Belgian side posing a tactical challenge that could determine whether the Opals advance directly or must navigate additional knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, the United States continued its unbeaten run by taking on Italy, with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers aiming to stretch their streak to 32 games since the 2006 semifinal.
United States Extends Unbeaten Streak
Clark, Reese and Bueckers combined forces in a high‑stakes encounter, showcasing the depth of talent that has kept the Americans atop the leaderboard.
In a separate development, China’s towering 7‑foot‑3 center Zhang Ziyu competed against the Czech Republic, seeking her first win of the tournament.
Overall, the tournament has seen a blend of seasoned contenders and emerging talents, with Australia’s blend of experience and youthful vigor positioning them as strong contenders for the final phase.