Following the early exit from the Rio Olympics, Brendan Joyce was replaced in April 2017 by former Opals player and Phoenix Mercury head coach, Sandy Brondello. Unlike previous years, the Opals qualified for the 2018 World Cup through the FIBA Women's Asia Cup held in India where they won a silver medal. Kelsey Griffin was named tournament most valuable player.[90] With basketball returning to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since 2006, the Opals easily accounted for England in the final winning the gold-medal game 99–55.
At the 2018 World Cup, the Opals won their group with a 3–0 record. They then defeated China 83–42 in the quarter-final and Spain 72–66 in the semi-final to set up a gold medal final with their long-time rivals USA. The Opals lost the game 73–56 with head coach Sandy Brondello stating lack of offence proved their downfall.[1] Liz Cambage was named to the tournament All-Star Five.[2]
| Mintaro population by year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1876 | 400 | [3] |
| 1961 | 141 | |
| 1966 | 151 | |
| 1971 | ||
| 1981 | ||
| 1991 | ||
| 1996 | ||
| 2001 | ||
| 2006 | 223 | [4] |
| 2011 | 370 | [5] |
| 2016 | 188 | [6] |
References
edit- ^ Liz Cambage stifled as USA beats the Opals in women's basketball World Cup final (1 October 2018). ABC News. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ Lulham, Amanda (1 October 2018). Team USA too good for Opals in Women’s Basketball World Cup decider. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ^ Mintaro State Heritage Area. Department of Environment Water and Natual Resources. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ 2006 Census QuickStats. Mintaro. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ 2011 Census QuickStats. Mintaro. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ 2016 Census QuickStats. Mintaro. Retrieved 25 March 2018.