THE Australian Opals defeated Belgium to bring home a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics on the back of a career-best performance from Eziyoda Magbegor.

After being bested by the eventual gold medalists in Team USA a couple of days prior, the Opals still had a chance to bring home some silverware in the bronze medal match on Sunday night. Having improved in form as the tournament rolled on after a disastrous opening loss to Nigeria, the Aussies were considered favourites coming in.

Although it was a nervous finish, Australia held on to deliver some big plays down the stretch and win by four points (85-81) to take home the rose gold.

Magbegor was simply enormous for the Opals, putting the team on her back with a superb showing, and the numbers certainly reflected her dominance.

The talented tall was immense with 30 points on 71 per cent shooting to go with 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals. There is no doubt the Aussies would have come home empty-handed if not for her heroics. She got to her left hand on the drive at a consistent rate, and despite the defence looking to get a hand in her face at all times, Magbegor was simply too strong and finished at the basket frequently.

She also had an enormous block in the fourth quarter that got the Opals fired up after Belgium began to make a huge run. The opposition had all of the momentum deep in the fourth quarter, and were looking to drive inside, but Australia’s star center spiked a lay-up attempt into the floor to steady things for the Opals.

The Opals were in a strong position for much of the contest, with Magbegor’s pressure on the basket helping the Aussies to a 10-point lead.

However, former Townsville Fire import Julie Vanloo began to heat up from behind the arc, and Belgium dragged itself back into the contest with long-range shooting. She put the Belgians up by one point heading into the fourth and it was game on.

The two sides traded triples early in the fourth in what was scintillating action, before Australia’s frontcourt stepped up when it mattered most. Magbegor and Alanna Smith had some huge plays down the stretch, putting the Aussies up by seven with four minutes on the clock.

Again it was Belgium that had one last push in the dying stages of the game, before Stephanie Talbot blocked a three-point attempt that would have tied the match, and by forcing a shot-clock violation on the following possession, Australia sealed the bronze medal.