Opals' epic charge after Paris 'disaster' continues... as daunting semi ...

The Opals have booked a likely semi-final date with eight-time defending champions USA after dominating Serbia in a 85-67 quarterfinal victory on Wednesday evening (AEST).

It only added to what has been an impressive recovery from the Opals after their shock loss to Nigeria in the first game of the group stage, with Lauren Jackson describing that performance as a “disaster” at the time.

In a complete contrast to that result, the Opals were in control for the majority of Wednesday’s game.

The Opals will find out who they play in the semi-finals on Thursday morning when Nigeria play the US at 5.30am, although the defending champions are commanding favourites to win that one.

The Opals are through to the semi-finals. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)Source: AFP

For the record, the US are currently on a 58-game winning streak and have not lost at the Olympics since 1992, so the Opals will be big underdogs for that semi-final should everything go as expected.

That game is scheduled for Saturday, with the time to be confirmed, but either way the Opals will be playing for a medal. Whether it is gold or bronze is what is yet to be determined.

Jade Melbourne was a standout for the Opals with 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals while Alanna Smith was hard to stop all night on the inside, finishing with a team-high 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Elsewhere, Cayla George was an X-factor off the bench once again with 18 points and three steals while Sami Whitcomb added 15 points.

Melbourne was dictating terms early for the Opals, first pushing the pace to find Ezi Magbegor for a tough basket before going coast-to-coast to finish at the rim herself.

Smith was equally impressive, swatting away an attempted shot from Tina Krajisnik to generate a fastbreak opportunity which she converted on the other end after a perfect pass from Sami Whitcomb.

Smith then beat three Serbian defenders on the Opals’ next possession to finish through contact for the and-1, answering a big Yvonne Anderson 3-pointer that threatened to swing momentum away from Australia.

The Opals then really started to kick away late in the first quarter as George entered the game and made an immediate impact on both ends, adding a quick five points to go with a steal.

Cayla George had a big impact. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)Source: AFP

Australia took a 26-19 lead into the second quarter and pushed that out to a 12-point difference, although turnovers then started to creep in and invite Serbia back into the contest.

Serbia had been creating plenty of open looks but just not making its shots. That was bound to change at some point and a Sasa Cadjo 3-pointer midway through the second quarter saw the Opals’ lead reduced to 10.

It seemed like the tide was turning against Australia as a swarming Serbian defence then forced George into a bad pass, but Serbia started to run into its own issues with turnovers and went into halftime trailing 48-32.

Of course, the challenge for the Opals was not to fall into the same trap as the Boomers the night before and Serbia threatened a fightback early in the third quarter, clawing back to 50-39.

But the Opals answered the call, stepping up the off-ball movement to create scoring chances in the paint before a Whitcomb 3-pointer later put Australia ahead 60-39.

The Opals went on a 17-0 run at one point and took a 72-48 lead into the final quarter and never looked back, going on to claim a comfortable win.

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