Canada VS Australia Women's Olympic Basketball - Group B

The Canadian Women’s basketball team will be playing for a better seed at the 2012 Olympic Basketball tournament on Day Nine of competition. Going into play on Day nine, Canada can be placed anywhere from second to fourth. Depending how the Russia-France game turns out at 1amPT/4amET, Canada could move up to second with a France win. The three teams (Russia, Australia and Canada) would be tied at 3-2. The tiebreaker is point differential and if Canada has the best point difference, Canada would be second. In contrast, if they have the worst, they would still finish second despite the potential win.

The task will be a challenge considering Australia is fighting for the exact same places in Group B. Australia is also the 2^nd ranked team in the world and were the favorites with Russia to win the group. The Aussies have under achieved in the Olympic tournament losing a heartbreaker to France in overtime.

Despite Australia being 3-1, they are one loss away from having a quarterfinal date with the United States. If that were to happen, it would be a rematch of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold medal game.

For Canada, a loss tomorrow would also mean a game with the powerhouse Americans. The Canadians have been in every game this tournament. They have two heartbreaking losses while also snatching two nail biting wins. In Canada’s losses, blown leads and missed lay ups were the teams undoing, resulting in both of the teams defeats 

If Canada wants to upset the Australia in the final group stage game they’ll have to knock down three point shots early and often. Canada does not have what it takes to stay with Australia. They’re big and talented and feel they are the stronger team then Canada.

In May, I got the opportunity to watch the Canadian women’s team play an exhibition game in Abbotsford B.C. Canada was playing Team China in a tune up for the Olympic Qualifying tournament in Turkey, prior to the Olympics. Canada played very well that day and came away with the win. In fact, I feel if Canada plays as well as they did that night they have a chance to win. Unfortunately, the Canadians won’t be playing in front of the home crowed, they do however have the potential to beat Australia and finish with a 3-2 record and avoid the USA.

As good as Canada has competed in these Olympics, this game will be the toughest so far. Canada will have to keep their turnovers at a minuscule number and capitalize on their lay up opportunities. I don’t see this happening for Canada and Australia will come away with the 77-63 win.

The game tips off at 6:30amPT/9:30amET and can be seen on CTV, Sportsnet or TSN.