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BACKS against the wall, Australia's women must dig deep tomorrow to stay alive in their Paris Olympics group, opponent Canada also reeling after taking a 21-point mauling from host nation France, a result almost as shocking as the Opals' 13-point loss to African champion Nigeria. 

Almost as surprising as China's choke against Spain and Belgium's disaster against Germany.

Almost.

Australia has never lost to an African national team and after its brilliant opening minutes against Nigeria, obviously fully expected that trend to continue.

Whichever assistant of coach Sandy Brondello produced the scout of Nigeria should not only never again be assigned such a task, but also quietly shipped out of the program post-Olympics. It was a lazy scout and came back to bite like a rabid white-pointer.

The selection errors of picking too many veteran bigs - Lauren Jackson the only exception and in such great form - came home to roost, as did overlooking recognised point guards such as the "invisible woman" Georgia Amoore.

Hasty preparation also showed in a disastrous 26 turnovers - the most ever committed by an Opals team in a recognised international competition - and in a couple of Brondello's coaching moves.

Jackson was a huge defensive keyway presence yet George was subbed in for her and Nigeria's last plays of the first half for defensive purposes. How did that work out? 

The brief switch to zone defence resulted in an immediate open Nigerian basket.

Those early turnovers - nine in the first quarter - were untidy, the scout obviously not preparing the Aussies for the aggressive in-your-face, in-the-lanes defence Nigeria would apply.

Interior passing attempts were turnovers waiting to happen. The passes either were ill-conceived, hesitant, at the wrong angles or simply executed without the requisite skill. In these 3-point blazing times of today, post-passing has become a neglected and virtually lost art.

The Opals' starting WNBA five - Jade Melbourne, Sami Whitcomb, Steph Talbot, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith - started well enough despite the combination not being given a chance to blend in the warm-up games. You have to wonder why not?

What is the point of playing preparation games if you don't get any chemistry preparation?

Talbot's reluctance to shoot (eventually 1-of-10) and Magbegor's lapses stung almost as much as seeing Smith shining harkened back to how poorly she has been utilised and treated in the past.

Fact is Australia's match against Nigeria was very reminiscent of the Boomers' games at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

That WC was the disaster the Boomers apparently had to have to move on to the more coordinated outfit we're seeing now.

You just know when a youngster such as Melbourne is bolting down the court on a fast break and spots Jackson at the last second, instead of laying it in, she is going to defer and try and fashion some sort of pass.  

Understandable but reeking of second-guessing and uncertainty.

That was the Opals on Monday, a team in transition and on unsure footing.

The good news?

At Sydney 2000, the Boomers lost their opener to Canada but fought their way back to the bronze medal playoff.

At Sydney 2022 for the FIBA Women's World Cup, the Opals lost their opening game but fought their way to the bronze medal playoff.

Let's hope it isn't Sydney that is the constant in these historical facts but the spirit and heart of Australian national teams when their backs are to the wall.

Making free throws, valuing the ball, executing offence and playing to their strengths - the Opals must beat Canada now. They're carrying the hopes of a nation and a legion of basketball lovers who only want them to put forward their best foot. Then let the pieces fall where they may.

Game time is 9:30pm AEST.

WOMEN'S RESULTS

Group A: Spain 90 d China 89, Serbia 58 d Puerto Rico 55;

Group B: Nigeria 75 d Australia 62, France 75 d Canada 54;

Group C: Germany 83 d Belgium 69, USA 102 d Japan 76;

MEN'S RESULTS

Group A: Australia 92 d Spain 80, Canada 86 d Greece 79; Spain 84 d Greece 77, Canada 93 d Australia 83. Canada 2-0 (+17), Australia 1-1 (+2), Spain 1-1 (-5), Greece 0-2 (-14).

Group B: Germany 97 d Japan 77, France 78 d Brazil 66; France 94 d Japan 90, Germany 86 d Brazil 73. Germany 2-0 (+33), France 2-0 (+16), Japan 0-2 (-24), Brazil 0-2 (-25).

Group C: South Sudan 90 d Puerto Rico 79, USA 110 d Serbia 84;