Geelong basketball's gem of deal to host world champion Opals
By Brad Green for the Geelong Advertiser on Saturday 11th June 2009.
TWO of the world's top women's basketball nations will go head-to-head in Geelong next month.
Basketball Australia yesterday confirmed Geelong would host game two of a three-match series between Australia and China at The Arena on Monday, August 17.
The Opals are the reigning world champions and won silver at last year's Olympic Games while China - which finished fourth at Beijing - is currently ranked fifth in the world.
The return of international basketball is a major coup for the city. Basketball Geelong president Frank Morrissy said it was hoped that several members of the Australian team will travel to Geelong a few days beforehand to promote the match.
The other games will be played in Canberra (August 11) and Dandenong (August 21).
The series forms part of Australia's preparation for the FIBA Oceania Championship against New Zealand in Wellington on August 31 and Canberra (September 2) with the winner qualifying for next year's world championships.
The Opals travelled to China earlier this year and lost a three-game series 2-1.
"It's a great opportunity for us to promote women's basketball," Morrissy said.
While the Opals will be without stars the calibre of Lauren Jackson, Belinda Snell, Lauren Phillips, Tully Bevilaqua and Suzy Batkovic because of WNBA commitments, it is believed coach Carrie Graf will be able to call on several European-based players such as Holly Grima, Emma Randall, Laura Summerton and Kathleen Macleod.
China is using the series as part of its preparations for the FIBA Asia Championship. They will also play three 'friendly' matches on its tour against WNBL sides Bendigo, Dandenong and Bulleen.
"China is a world-class basketball playing nation and we wanted some tough matches before the Oceania Championship, so we're very happy to have secured these games," Graf said.
"We've toured China and Europe this year, so it will be great to play in Australia and hopefully the Aussie public will come out and get behind the Opals."
The Opals squad will be named following a training camp in Melbourne later this month.
Tickets for the game are expected to go on sale next week. For further details contact Basketball Geelong on 5277 1388.
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