The Opals have now added a gold medal to their collection of silver and bronze at international events in the past decade.

A wave of emotion overcame the team as the final buzzer sounded, a week of competition culminating in a sweet victory in front of a home crowd.

Just as she has in every match of the tournament, Lauren Jackson led her team to victory, scoring 23 points and providing an imposing target under the basket.

Matches between Australia and New Zealand always carry plenty of feeling, and a few minutes into the game the Silver Ferns' Nonila Wharemate physically fouled Jacinta Hamilton’s on a fast break. The tough defence continued throughout the match, but the Kiwis could not maintain the intensity for the entire game.

Donna Loffhagen did a good job containing Jackson in the opening quarter however as the centre was kept to only six first quarter points, all from the free throw line. The Opals shooting was well off target in the opening stages (22% in first quarter), but so was New Zealand’s (21%) and Australia found themselves up by 12 points at the first break, 23-11.

Despite foul trouble which saw Jenny Whittle sit down with three fouls with eight minutes still remaining in the second quarter, the Opals kicked away. Jackson found her range in the second period as her defenders found themselves stretched from under the basket to the three-point line. Jackson had nine points, including a three-pointer in the term, showing her scoring versatility all and finishing the half with 15 points. Australia’s superior defence forced seven Kiwi turnovers in the first half.

To compound New Zealand's woes, Belinda Snell’s shooting was on target in the first half. She was the game’s second top scorer with 10 points, including two three-pointers.

Australia showed no mercy in the second half for their cross-Tasman rivals and were 35 points up at the final break.

Smiles finally started appearing on the Australian’s faces as the minutes ticked away and the victory was sealed. The Opals enjoyed the final minutes of the match, playing some entertaining basketball to the delight of the crowd.

Defensive powerhouse, Emily McInerny, ensured all 12 Australian players were on the scoreboard by game’s end, sinking two free throws with seconds remaining on the clock to a roar of approval from the Australian bench and the Aussie fans.

The crowd got roared even louder when the siren sounded and the Opals did laps around the arena, thanking their fans with high fives, kisses and hugs.

“What a great win,” Opals guard Carly Wilson said in the excitement of the post-game media scrum. “In front of my home town and with our country’s support – What an awesome feeling.”

Prime Minister, and Basketball Australia Patron, John Howard, cheered the Aussie win. Mr Howard and his wife, Jeanette, congratulated the Opals on the first gold medal for an Australian senior basketball team at a major international championship.

Australia 77 – Lauren Jackson 21, Belinda Snell 10, Katrina Hibbert 6, Tully Bevilaqua.
New Zealand 39 – Donna Loffhagen 8, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe 7.