Australia will once again be represented at the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Olympics by the Opals.

Currently ranked as the third best team in the world, the Opals will be hoping to gain a first medal since the 2012 Olympics, with the subsequent campaigns ending in disappointing exits before the semi-finals.

They finished third at the recent FIBA Women’s World Cup, but will face a stern test if they are to have similar success at the Olympics.

The Sporting News looks at who stands in the way of the Opals and Olympic glory.

MORE: When do the Olympics start? | Full Australian Olympic team for Paris

Who do the Opals play at the Paris Olympics?

The Opals have been drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, host nation France and Canada.

Australia, Canada and France actually faced off at the World Cup two years ago, with France pulling off a surprise win over the Opals in their opening match in the group stages; Australia did recover to win their remaining matches including against Canada.

France are currently ranked seventh in the world, and will have a big boost thanks to playing on home soil.

Canada are fifth in the world and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, where they suffered defeat and lost in the third placed playoff against Australia.

Nigeria were forced to withdraw from the World Cup, but are currently ranked 12th in the world, and are the highest ranked African nation.

Opals Paris Olympics schedule

The Opals’ first match of the Olympics will be against Nigeria on July 29 at 7 p.m. AEST.

On August 1 they play Canada at 9:30 p.m. AEST, and they finish their group stage against France on August 4 at 5 a.m. AEST.

All group stage matches are being played at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.

Australian Opals odds to win gold in Paris

The Opals have the second-best odds to win gold in Paris, behind only Team USA — who have won seven consecutive Olympic gold medals.  

All odds courtesy of TAB

Opals roster for Paris Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympic Opals feature one of the most elite collections of WNBA talent to pull on the green and gold. 

Chief among them is Ezi Magbegor, the Seattle Storm player who has been named to two WNBA All-Defensive Teams, an All-Star in 2023, and was stiff to not be selected this season. 

Alanna Smith was another player many thought would be an All-Star, currently enjoying a career-year with title contenders the Minnesota Lynx. 

The Opals other WNBA talents include Washington’s Jade Melbourne, Phoenix’s Bec Allen, Los Angeles’ Steph Talbot, Indiana’s Kristy Wallace, and Seattle’s Sami Whitcomb. 

2024’s 20th draft pick Issy Borlase was also named on the team, with the youngster yet to move stateside to make her WNBA debut. 

The squad is rounded out by a strong group of WNBL talent featuring Cayla George, Tess Madgen, and Marianna Tolo, as well as Australian basketball icon Lauren Jackson.