What you need to know ahead of the FIBA WWC Qualifying Tournament.

The Australian Opals FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament gets underway this Thursday night and with the national team jam-packed with local WNBL talent, here’s everything you need to know.

BA selectors have combined a mix of Olympians and FIBA Asia Cup bronze medallists to represent the Opals in Serbia and after stand out WNBL seasons, Southside’s Maddy Rocci and Sydney’s Shyla Heal have both been rewarded with national team debuts.

What you need to know:

Ranked third in the world, Australia was drawn in Group B alongside host nation Serbia (10), Brazil (17) and Korea (14). The Opals have already qualified for the home World Cup set for Sydney this September, however, are competing for final seedings in the lead up to the World Cup fixture being drawn.

Qualifying Tournament Schedule: Times listed AEDT.

Thursday, February 10: v Brazil, 10pm.

Sunday, February 13: v Serbia, 7am.

Monday, February 14: v Korea, 1am.

Where to watch:

All Australia AND Team USA games will be broadcast live across ESPN and Kayo Sports.

For access to all other games, you can watch via the FIBA LBTV platform.

The full qualifying tournament schedule can be found here. 

FULL TEAM:

BEC ALLEN: Valencia Basket Spain

SARA BLICAVS- Southside Flyers

DARCEE GARBIN: Perth Lynx

CAYLA GEORGE: Melbourne Boomers

SHYLA HEAL: Sydney Uni Flames

TESS MADGEN: Melbourne Boomers

MADDY ROCCI: Southside Flyers

ALANNA SMITH: Adelaide Lightning

STEPH TALBOT: Adelaide Lightning

MARIANNA TOLO: Basket Landes (France)

KRISTY WALLACE: Southside Flyers

SAMI WHITCOMB: Perth Lynx