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FINGERS (and toes for the ambidextrous) crossed Alanna Smith has the all-clear to resume for Australia against Italy in its overnight KO quarter-final qualifier and that Opals coach Sandy Brondello shows no fear and takes a few risks to stay alive at the FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin.

Yeah, it's the knock-out stage and to advance for a shot at Spain and maybe a stunning rise to the semi finals, Italy looms as a major roadblock.

Yes, Italy was smacked by China but its 52-55 loss to the USA was full of merit ... well, right until match star Cecilia Zandalasini faked facial contact on the game's last play against a US opponent nowhere near close enough to have touched her. (She later apologied for her appalling and over-wrought histrionics.) So the fact remains she will be a tough cover, most likely for Steph Talbot.

Realistically, the Opals have done pretty well. Their biggest failing has been decision-making at key moments which stems from a lack of on-court leadership.

When veteran and captain Sami Whitcomb had to withdraw from the team, it always was going to be difficult for whichever young one stepped into those leadership shoes.

Ezi Magbegor was the obvious choice but this is very fresh terrain for her when she still is at the stage where her own form has to be a priority. Smith was another good option but with her injury, the point is moot anyway.

Talbot has shown at Adelaide Lightning she does not relish captaincy and Jade Melbourne also is still at a time in her career where how she plays has to be her main focus.

So when the team was rudderless in the loss to Belgium and not only faltering, flailing and ultimately failing, maybe it was time for Brondello to look down her own bench.

Steph Reid easily could have been inserted to provide some up-tempo drive and ball movement, particularly when Melbourne was fatiguing and making poor decisions.

No, not suggesting Reid is Opals captaincy material but at point guard she certainly brings the structure and surety so lacking against the Belgians the further the match went.

In reality, Reid should be backing up Melbourne at PG. Despite whatever Damon Lowery is spouting, Alex Wilson is NOT a point guard. She is a combo guard who can pinch-hit - and does - at the point.

But she is still a better option backing up Issy Borlase who is always trying to make things happen offensively. Freed to shoot instead of run the team, Wilson would thrive in that role. 

Zitina Aokuso's clear lack of self-belief, which results in her missing as many shots as she makes, needs to be addressed by the coaching staff because she can be a much greater asset.

So too Chloe Bibby who is another big capable of also sinking the 3-ball, Australia so far shooting it from long range at 25.8 per cent.

Italy is way way worse, sticking shots from outside the arc at 16 per cent. That's only marginally better than my social team.

There is no doubt the Opals can beat Italy and advance to face Spain in the quarters but they need to find and then play with composure and confidence.

Spain is vulnerable, as Mali proved in intragroup play in that nation's greatest ever international victory.

But that's two steps away and a misstep is not out of the question. Of course it wouldn't hurt if Smith could suit up but even without her, Australia can get this done. (Coverage starts on ESPN, Disney, Kayo from 4:05am in SA and NT, 4:35 on the east coast.)

FIBA Women's World Cup Results

Quarter Finalists

USA v Hungary     France v Winner of Puero Rico v China

Spain v Winner of Australia v Italy     Belgium v Germany

Quarter Final Qualifiers

Hungary 84, Japan 63; Germany 94, Korea 56

China v Puerto Rico; Australia v Italy

GROUP C: Belgium 80 (Meesseman 22, Linskens, Vanloo 12, Allemand, Delaere 11; Linskens, Meesseman 10 rebs; Meesseman 8 assts) d Australia Opals 68 (Magbegor 15, Borlase, Melbourne 10; Talbot 10 rebs; Melbourne 6 assts); Belgium 76, Puerto Rico 64; Australia Opals 87 (Magbegor 21, Talbot 17, Fowler 10; Borlase, Talbot 5 rebs; Talbot 5 assts) d Turkey 71 (Uzun 24, Fitik 11, Burke 10; Bayram 5 rebs; Uzun 6 assts) at Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin; Belgium 89, Turkey 75; Australia Opals 70 (Talbot 19, Magbegor 11, Smith, Melbourne 10; Aokuso, Magbegor 9 rebs; Wilson 4 assts) d Puerto Rico 54 (Guirantes 14, San Antonio, McGee-Stafford 11; McGee-Stafford 12 rebs; San Antonio 2 assts). Puerto Rico 75, Turkey 71. Positions: 1 Belgium 3-0, 2 Australia 2-1, 3 Puerto Rico 1-2, 4 Turkey 0-3

GROUP A: Japan 102, Mali 97; Spain 83, Germany 53; Mali 82, Spain 73; Germany 74, Japan 58; Spain 79, Japan 59; Germany 83, Mali 58; Positions: 1 Spain 2-1, 2 Germany 2-1, 3 Japan 1-2, 4 Mali 1-2

GROUP B: Korea 99, Nigeria 81; France 99, Hungary 53; France 95, Korea 69; Hungary 71, Nigeria 67; Hungary 82, Korea 73; France 111, Nigeria 56. Positions: 1 France 3-0, 2 Hungary 2-1, Korea 1-2, 4 Nigeria 0-3

GROUP D: USA 94, China 61; Italy 63, Czechia 54; China 74, Czechia 70; USA 55, Italy 52; USA 105, Czechia 64; China 71, Italy 51. Positions: 1 USA 3-0, 2 China 2-1, 3 Italy 1-2, Czechia 0-3

All pics courtesy of fiba.com