Opals skipper makes it look Ezi to beat Turkiye

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Australian Opals skipper Ezi Magbegor has her team within one win of a guaranteed spot in the FIBA Women's World Cup quarter-finals after dominating Turkiye in one of her best performances in a green and gold jersey.

Magbegor, who was announced as Opals captain in the lead-up to the tournament in Sami Whitcomb's absence, was the best player on the court with 21 points in Australia's 87-71 win in Berlin.

"Having a game under our belt, we were just ready to play Türkiye today," Magbegor said.

"We knew they were a great team and obviously played them earlier in the year.

"I’m just proud of the team for being able to play through all four quarters. Everyone stepped up. Izzy (Bourne) stepping into the starting line-up – I was proud of her.

"It was just a great team win overall."

The Seattle Storm centre went 10-from-14 from the field and 1-from-2 from the three-point line as the Opals remain undefeated after two games despite her fellow front-court partner Alanna Smith sidelined due to a lower leg injury. She was ruled out just before tip-off.

Australia will take on Belgium for top spot in the group, with the winner to progress straight through to the quarters while the loser will need to play another crossover to earn their way through to the final eight teams at the World Cup.

Sandy Brondello's side looked to have improved dramatically from the side, which appeared rusty in their tournament opener against Puerto Rico on Friday night, executing better on both ends of the floor led by their trademark suffocating defence.

"I agree (with Magbegor)," Brondello added.

"Obviously, it’s always great, number one, that we won the game. I thought we got better from our first game, and that usually happens for us in a tournament.

"I thought Izzy had a good game. We had a lot of great contributions from so many different players today, but we know we have to be better and continue to get better as we move forward.

"We say our depth is our power. We did have a few players in foul trouble, so I was really mindful of not getting anyone a third one before halftime.

"Obviously, Fowler and Talbot did get one. Can’t help it.

"It’s a big line-up. It’s a line-up that allows us to be a little more creative on the defensive end. I thought Ally Wilson had a fantastic game for us, as did Izzy.

"It’s about controlling it. We can switch and do a lot of different variations in our pick-and-roll defence."

Opals veteran Steph Talbot continues to step up when needed, especially with the absence of the experienced Smith and Whitcomb, carrying a scoring load for Australia with an efficient 17 points, going 8-from-10 from the field, along with five rebounds and five assists.

Isabelle Bourne got the start in place of Smith, drawing the defensive task of limiting Turkiye star Kennedy Burke, with the Sydney Flames recruit and Townsville Fire star Alex Fowler limiting her to just 10 points on 36% from the field.

Fowler also seemed to be finding her feet for the Opals, scoring 10 points and doing her damage on the offensive glass.

The Opals tore Turkiye's defence apart, especially their pick and roll coverages, attacking the basket relentlessly with 56 points in the paint compared to 26 from their opponents. Australia also had 23 assists from 35 made field goals in positive signs for Brondello's offence going further into the tournament.

Magbegor and Australia's bigs were dominant despite Turkiye's best efforts to limit them through a number of questionable physical plays.

In interesting scenes, it also appeared Turkiye coach Andrea Mazzon had some words to Brondello following the loss.

The Opals take on Belgium, who have become a rival of Australia following epic clashes including the 2024 Olympic Games bronze medal game, at 7.30pm AEST on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Australia's path to the podium

The one fact that settles most of it: Australia cannot finish lower than 2nd in Group C. Both AUS and BEL are 2-0, both PUR and TUR are 0-2, so the last round is AUS v BEL and PUR v TUR. The loser of AUS-BEL finishes 2-1, the winner of PUR-TUR finishes 1-2. Third place is off the table. Everything hinges on the Belgium game.

If Australia beats Belgium and tops Group C

• No crossover. The Opals sit out Tue 8 and Wed 9 Sept while everyone else plays.
• Quarter-final is Game 31, Thu 10 Sept, v the winner of Game 25 (2nd of Group A v 3rd of Group B). Group A is the mess: Spain, Mali, Japan and Germany all 1-1.
• Semi is Game 34, Sat 12 Sept, v the winner of Game 30, which is the half containing the Group B winner (France, already qualified at 2-0).
• The USA, if they top Group D, is on the far side of the draw. Australia could only meet them in the final.

If Australia loses to Belgium and finishes 2nd

• Extra game: crossover Game 27, Wed 9 Sept, v 3rd of Group D (that group is China, Italy, Czechia, USA).
• Win that and the quarter-final is Game 29, Thu 10 Sept, v the Group A winner.
• Semi is Game 33, Sat 12 Sept, v the winner of Game 32, which is the Group D winner's half. That is the USA route, in the semi rather than the final.