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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Josh Callinan

Opals to play against Japan in Newcastle ahead of World Cup

HOOPS: Newcastle's Katie Ebzery playing for the Opals in Canberra in 2019. Picture: Jamila Toderas

The Opals will play against Olympic silver medalists Japan in Newcastle next month ahead of this year's World Cup tournament in Australia.

An announcement was made by Basketball Australia on Thursday morning.

The international friendly will be held at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, May 31 (7:30pm).

It will be the last of a three-match series between the women's teams, starting with back-to-back games in Sydney on May 27 and 29.

Via a media release, the NSW minister for tourism and sport Stuart Ayres said "Opals supporters will have the opportunity to see their basketball idols take on Japan in Sydney and Newcastle".

Opals coach Sandy Brondello added: "COVID certainly threw up challenges with our inability to compete internationally and gain vital match practice. Having games against a quality opponent such as Japan in Sydney is invaluable for our squad and it will give the fans a taste of what's to come in September".

There are no Novocastrians currently part of the Opals squad.

Katie Ebzery and Leilani Mitchell represented Australia at the previous two Olympics while Suzy Batkovic and Jenni Screen claimed multiple medals together on the world stage.

The World Cup is scheduled for Sydney between September 22 and October 1.

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