Basketball On The Internet.

WE had high hopes but I suspect most of us feared our gallant Opals might not have enough firepower to get over the line – this time – against the USA.

While Penny Taylor, Erin Phillips, Marianna Tolo and Co have been fearless and fierce, the truth is you just have to make shots if you are going to beat the Americans at a FIBA World Championship or at an Olympic Games.

In today’s semi final, graciously brought by the ABC to the Australian viewing public long after the game was over – anyone care to explain that sometime? – a little missed layup here, a bobbled open shot there, ultimately meant the Opals were swamped by an unforgiving opponent laden with shooters and talent to the end of its bench.

The Americans also have the depth to punish you for your long-range misses that ricochet out to transition points and that occasional turnover almost inevitably is a fast-break basket.

All of that said and understood, the Opals didn’t do much wrong from the point-of-view of keeping their fans excited the future does have a golden era appearance about it.

Tolo’s attack on Brittney Griner was pronounced and consistent and she won it fairly impressively.

“It was a great experience,” Tolo said of facing the 203cm American centre and first woman to dunk at a World Championship.

“I came in knowing it was going to be tough to shut her down.

“I kept her out of the keyway as much as possible.”

That was significant, as was Erin Phillips leading the offence with 19 points, shutting down Sue Bird and keeping the Americans on their heels, if not their toes.

“She’s the one that almost got us back there,” coach Brendan Joyce said of his livewire guard.

Phillips’ three to open the final quarter made it 55-61 but soon after the US juggernaut fashioned an 11-0 run which, when added to its 8-0 run of midway through the second quarter, were the two decisive break-outs in an otherwise tight game.

Australia was not helped one iota by officiating which turned a blind eye to how often Taylor was bumped and buffeted going to the basket but rushed her instead onto three fouls within a minute of the second quarter.

While some have said Griner also copped a couple of wayward calls, the truth is Taylor’s on-court leadership and skillset cannot be duplicated.

So while the thought: “Griners’ fouls cancelled Taylor’s” was an argument I heard yesterday from a few American acquaintances, Taylor’s absence from the court and occasional necessary reticence thereafter was, indeed, way more significant.

So too the fact Laura Hodges, Belinda Snell and Rachael Jarry’s offensive struggles from the quarter-final win over Canada carried over on a night the Aussies needed all systems firing.

Their work ethic and defensive commitment was terrific as usual but the Opals just needed a few more shots dropping, shooting at 34 per cent for the game.

The USA shot at 51.

Leilani Mitchell’s nine-point third period which the Opals won 22-19 was huge and inspiring, as was Phillips' driving basket late in that quarter when she took on and beat three defenders.

Tessa Lavey, Nat Burton and Cayla Francis also all had a good moment or three.

But sadly, it was not meant to be, even though in our hearts, I suspect most of us did believe Australia had to play the perfect game to beat such a star-studded group.

They didn’t quite manage that but it is hardly cause for despair.

As Taylor said post-game: “We can take a lot out of that game into the future and Rio.”

When you remember to put the performance into that context of nine Olympians from London gone or unavailable, seven debutantes – including one very committed and passionate coach – and a star lost a week out from the Worlds, there is much to like about what the future holds.

“Now we have to regroup and focus on winning a Bronze Medal against Turkey,” Joyce said.

Oh yes.

There is still that.

Our News Corp match report against the USA is at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/aussie-opals-lose-8270-to-us-now-must-focus-on-downing-turkey-to-take-world-championship-bronze/story-fnii09gt-1227080349835

The Bronze Medal game is live overnight on ABC2 at: 2:50am (VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS), 2:20am (SA), 1:50am (QLD), 1:20am (NT), 11:50pm (WA).