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TESS Madgen wound back the clock today to produce an outstanding game which not only pushed Australia past France 79-72 - and a roaring, rabid 27,000-strong crowd in Lille - but into second place in Group B and an Olympic KO quarter-final showdown with Serbia in Paris.

From the moment she was introduced into the game 5:41 into the first quarter, Madgen was everything a captain needs to be, rallying the Opals with seven of her game-high 18 points, including the closing basket to end the term with Australia ahead 19-17.

Her game-high 18 points came at 67 per cent, as did her 4-of-6 threes, Madgen's offensive aggression - not seen to this extent since she was a junior running around for Eastern Mavericks and SA Country - a huge surprise for the French.

This time it was Australia which had the scout correct, its bigs Alanna Smith (12 points at 75 per cent, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) and Ezi Magbegor (14 points at 50 per cent, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) relentlessly attacking their French counterparts who had no answer.

Smith's step-around and spin moves and Magbegor's run at the hoop were huge factors throughout, as was Sami Whitcomb's ability to find open teammates.

A few of her seven assists absolutely sizzled, accompanying her 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

But there were none better than Smith's whip to a cutting Magbegor to open the scoring in this potential elimination match for the Opals.

Australia dictated the tempo and was largely in control through the first half, despite heading into the main break at 34-34.

In fact it was largely (again) 10 turnovers for the first half that proved critical in keeping France  actively in the contest, not to mention Cayla George going 0-of-3 and Steph Talbot 1-of-4, neither able to stay in front of Marinne Johannes.

She stepped up and looked likely to be a constant thorn until French coach Jean Aime Toupane inexplicably benched her during the second quarter and she was never the same threat again.

It was Madgen, whose first-half 10 points included two sweet 3-pointers, who proved the surprise packet offensively as Sandy Brondello - also inexplicably - left Lauren Jackson and Kristy Wallace anchored to the bench.

Having scored only four points for the tournament, Madgen must have defied France's pre-game planning from the moment she entered the match, subbing in for Jade Melbourne, Australia 6-4 ahead.

That was despite two Talbot turnovers and an easy missed shot inside the first two minutes, Smith and Whitcomb (four assists in the first half) distributing the ball brilliantly.

Talbot was huge defensively in the second half as France, with its fans in full voice, threatened to break away, Gabby Williams becoming an increasing headache for the Opals.

Trailing 43-46, Magbegor drove, then on the next play finished a pass from Whitcomb to reclaim the lead.

Next she blocked a shot, hustling forward to finish another play and the Opals were 49-46 ahead.

Consecutive 3-point makes by Madgen and a coast-to-coast assault by Whitcomb blew the lead to 57-48 and belief in the camp was evident.

Australia's 25-16 third period set up the win and when Whitcomb drove to start the final period scoring, the Opals were 61-50 ahead.

France rallied behind Williams and whether the crowd influenced the officiating - however briefly - it was back to game-on, Magbegor hammered under the basket for a no call and Liela Lacan quickly swishing a triple for 58-63.

Talbot created an easy basket for Magbegor and 65-59, but Williams' three, followed by her drive had the deficit sliced back to 64-65, the fans losing their minds in support.

"We play for these moments," Madgen said post-game, and it was in that moment she slipped backdoor for 67-64 before George connected on a corner 3-pointer for 70-64.

But this was far from over. Talbot turned the ball over, then stole it back after Magbegor's free throw makes with 2:01 left had Australia 72-64 clear.

Threes by Williams and Johannes kept the contest alive, Brondello cleverly utilising her time-outs to guide the Opals to safety after the extended fullcourt French pressure continued to cause anxious moments. 

Easily Australia's best performance of the Olympic tournament, Madgen, Whitcomb, Talbot, Smith and Magbegor were omnipresent in the success.

AUSTRALIA OPALS 79 (Madgen 18, Magbegor 14, Smith, Whitcomb 12; Magbegor, Talbot 6 rebs; Whitcomb 7 assts) d FRANCE 72 (Williams 15, Ayayi, Johannes 9; Badiane 6 rebs; Bernies 4 assts) in Lille. Crowd: 27,000

WOMEN'S INTRAGROUP RESULTS

Group A: Spain 90 d China 89, Serbia 58 d Puerto Rico 55; Spain 63 d Puerto Rico 62, Serbia 81 d China 59; China 80 d Puerto Rico 58, Spain 70 d Serbia 62. Spain 3-0 (+10), Serbia 2-1 (+17), China 1-2 (-1), Puerto Rico 0-3 (-26). Final Order: 1 Spain, 2 Serbia, 3 China, 4 Puerto Rico.

Group B: Nigeria 75 d Australia 62, France 75 d Canada 54; Australia 70 d Canada 65, France 75 d Nigeria 54; Nigeria 79 d Canada 70, Australia 79 d France 72. France 2-1 (+35), Nigeria 2-1 (+1), Australia 2-1 (-1), Canada 0-4 (-35). Tied Teams Table: France 1-1 +14, Australia 1-1 -6, Nigeria 1-1 -8. Final Order: 1 France, 2 Australia, 3 Nigeria, 4 Canada  

Group C: Germany 83 d Belgium 69, USA 102 d Japan 76; Germany 75 d Japan 64, USA 87 d Belgium 74; Belgium 85 d Japan 58, USA 87 d Germany 68. USA 3-0 (+58), Germany 2-1 (+6), Belgium 1-2 (0), Japan 0-3 (-64). Final Order: 1 USA, 2 Germany, 3 Belgium, 4 Japan

MEN'S INTRAGROUP RESULTS

Group A: Australia 92 d Spain 80, Canada 86 d Greece 79; Spain 84 d Greece 77, Canada 93 d Australia 83; Greece 77 d Australia 71, Canada 88 d Spain 85. Canada 3-0 (+20), Australia 1-2 (-4), Spain 1-2 (-8), Greece 1-2 (-8). Tied Teams Table: Australia 1-1 +6, Greece 1-1 -1, Spain 1-1 -5. Final Order: 1 Canada, 2 Australia, 3 Greece, 4 Spain.

Group B: Germany 97 d Japan 77, France 78 d Brazil 66; France 94 d Japan 90, Germany 86 d Brazil 73; Brazil 102 d Japan 84, Germany 85 d France 71. Germany 3-0 (+47), France 2-1 (+2), Brazil 1-2 (-7), Japan 0-3 (-42). Final Order: 1 Germany, 2 France, 3 Brazil, 4 Japan.

Group C: South Sudan 90 d Puerto Rico 79, USA 110 d Serbia 84; Serbia 107 d Puerto Rico 66, USA 103 d South Sudan 86; USA 104 d Puerto Rico 83; Serbia 96 d South Sudan 85. USA 3-0 (+64), Serbia 2-1 (+26), South Sudan 1-2 (-17), Puerto Rico 0-3 (-73). Final Order: 1 USA, 2 Serbia, 3 South Sudan, 4 Puerto Rico.