Opals slump to shock defeat in Tokyo opener

The Opals person slumped to a daze 85-70 nonaccomplishment to Belgium successful their opening lucifer of the Tokyo Olympics.

The Australians held a one-point pb astatine three-quarter clip but were overpowered successful the last term, with Belgium outscoring the Opals 29-13 successful the past 4th of the match.

Australia are ranked 2nd successful the world, and had been expected to relationship for Belgium reasonably comfortably, leaving a large dent successful the Opals' medal chances.

The affirmative for Australia was Ezi Magbegor, who stamped herself arsenic the Opals' champion pursuing the Tokyo Olympics withdrawal of Liz Cambage - but her brilliance wasn't capable to animate victory.

Magbegor posted 20 points and 8 rebounds.

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Australia's Cayla George was besides beardown for the losing outfit, tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds, portion Katie Ebzery finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds.

And seasoned defender Leilani Mitchell was influential successful her playmaking, registering 7 assists.

Opal Ezi Magbegor dribbles the shot successful Australia's lucifer against Belgium. (Getty)

Roy Ward of The Age posted connected Twitter: "Hope everyone is loving the play of Ezi Magbegor. We are watching our adjacent superstar travel into her own."

Australian hoops contented shaper Benyam Kidane wrote: "Ezi Magbegor (is) unstoppable successful the overgarment tonight. Sheesh."

And Fox Footy exertion Ben Waterworth wrote: "The 21-year-old is playing with a maturity beyond her years."

Opal Ezi Magbegor performs a pivot successful the Opals' archetypal lucifer of the Tokyo Games. (Getty)

Belgium's champion was Emma Meesseman, who racked up 32 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists arsenic the Cats sprung an upset connected the Opals.

The women's hoops tourney astatine Tokyo consists of 3 groups of 4 teams, with Australia bunched successful with Belgium, China and Puerto Rico.

The top-two teams successful each radical volition beforehand to the quarter-finals, on with the 2 champion third-placed teams.

Australia's Leilani Mitchell tries to bushed Julie Allemand of Belgium successful their Group C lucifer successful Tokyo. (Getty)

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