Bkb: Opals cruise past first hurdle

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2008
Bkb: Opals cruise past first hurdle

By James Dampney

BEIJING, Aug 9 AAP - The Opals are expecting rapid improvement as the Beijing Olympics
unfold after brushing aside Belarus 83-64 in their opening game today.

After an extended build-up that included a slanging match with arch-rivals the United
States over perceived dirty tactics in a warm-up game, Australia showed some rust against
a Belarussian side playing in its first Olympics.

The task will get considerably harder over the next fortnight for an Opals outfit hungry
for gold, starting with old foes Brazil on Monday night.

The world champion Australians also have to deal with the schedule, which had them
suiting up at 9am local time today, while they will tackle the Brazilians at 10.15pm in
two days' time.

Australian point guard Kristi Harrower knows the Opals will have to make plenty of
adjustments throughout the tournament.

"A lot of us play in Europe and play at 8.30 at night," she said.

"I felt a little bit flat today and I think the team did as well and I think it was
the 9am start.

"Once you get the first game out of the road and people start to get a little bit settled,
hopefully it'll get easier in time."

Lauren Jackson overcame an indifferent start today to lead all scorers with 18 points
and added 10 rebounds in front of more than 11,000 fans at the plush new Beijing Olympic
Basketball Gymnasium.

Suzy Batkovic provided a solid inside presence and finished with 14 points and 12 boards,
while Yelena Leuchanka and Tatyana Troina each had 13 points for Belarus.

The two nations had never met before today and Australia had all the answers as they
eased their way into the tournament.

"We always say the first game is the hardest and I've been in the Opals team for 15
years and I've never, ever played Belarus," Harrower said.

"It was a difficult game for us. We were a little bit worried because we'd never played them.

"To come out with that sort of win is good for us."

The Opals led 19-12 at quarter time and by the main break had opened up a 16-point advantage.

Belarus managed to win the third quarter by one point, but the Opals still strolled
to victory without playing anything like their best basketball.

"Australia is one of the great teams and they can play 40 minutes on the same level,"

Snytsina said.

"Instead we go up and down having good and bad moments.

"We know we can't win against Australia so it was a good warm-up for our next game
against Latvia."

The Opals now have a day off, as they will in between games throughout the tournament,
before taking on Brazil.

AAP jd/jds

KEYWORD: OLY08 BKBW AUST NIGHTLEAD

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