After six days and 30 games of basketball, it’s time to say goodbye to the Group Phase of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, as well as the bottom four teams.
After a day of rest Wednesday, all eyes will now turn to the quarter-finals, as the top four teams in each group will look to keep their World Cup efforts alive.
From Group A, the USA predictably emerged as the top team after a completely dominant effort during the Group Phase that included breaking the all-time record for points in a game, joined by Belgium, China, and Puerto Rico.
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Group B – nicknamed the ‘Group of Death’ – was a much tighter contest, but after some impressive wins against Canada and Japan, Australia held on to take out the top spot. Also emerging from the second group are France, Canada, and Serbia.
This group win is especially good news for the Opals, who are guaranteed from facing off with the Americans until the finals, should they make it that far, but from here on out there will be no easy games for anyone.
USA v Serbia, 12:00 p.m. AEST (10:00 p.m. E.T.)
The first quarter-final of the World Cup will see the favorites United States come up against Serbia, in a game that will more than likely end in a sizeable American win.
Serbia has been up and down this tournament, finishing with a 3-2 Group Phase record that includes wins over France and Japan, but also losses to Canada and Australia.
On the flip side, the United States has looked borderline unstoppable, going undefeated so far with their closest game being their opener against Belgium, in which half their roster had still not arrived due to the WNBA Finals.
Puerto Rico v Canada, 2:30 p.m. AEST (12:30 am E.T.)
The feel-good story of the tournament so far, Puerto Rico qualified for the quarter-finals after pulling off an upset win against Korea.
But if they want the fairytale to continue, they’ll need to elevate their game to a whole new level, as they face off against a Canadian team who has only lost one game so far.
Canada, whose lone loss came against Australia, is a real medal shot, and Puerto Rico will have their work cut out for them in this one.
China v France, 6:00 p.m. AEST (4:00 a.m. E.T.)
This is a game that has significant blockbuster potential, with two of the most potent offenses each looking to end the other’s campaign early.
If not for the USA, China would be the favorites for gold at this tournament, with their only loss so far at the hands of the Americans as they put together four colossal wins.
France has been much less consistent, claiming big wins over Australia and Japan, but were downed by Canada and Serbia, and they will need something special to stop China’s march to the Finals.
Australia v Belgium, 8:30 p.m. AEST (6:30 a.m. E.T.)
Rounding out the quarter-finals is a game that on paper, Australia should win pretty handily.
After a shaky start losing to France, the Opals would not lose another game, gritting their teeth and somehow coming out on top of Group B.
Belgium went 3-2 in their Group Phase play, with their losses against the USA and China, but their loss of Emma Meesseman for the remainder of the tournament with a calf injury is a devastating blow, and they will need to rally in a big way to put up a fight against an Opals team that is coming into form at the exact right time.
After an opening night loss to France, the Opals have barely put a foot wrong as they stormed into the Quarter-Finals atop Group B 😤🇦🇺#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/ZeqfB4uZ6p
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 27, 2022
After the play of the Group Phase concludes, the first and second team in each group is randomly drawn against the third and fourth of the opposite group, so no team will play against a team they faced in the Group Phase.
Additionally, the bracket is constructed so that the top team in each group will not be able to face off until the Final, which is why the Opals winning Group B was such a crucial accomplishment to their medalling hopes.
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World cup will air in Australia on ESPN.
ESPN is available in Australia via Foxtel, Fetch and Kayo Sports.
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