Liz gets her mojo back
AUSTRALIAN Opals star Elizabeth Cambage says new coach Sandy Brondello has helped reinvigorate her love of basketball after stepping away from the game after the illfated 2016 Olympics.
The Opals touched down in Townsville yesterday, where they will play their Commonwealth Games pool matches as raging favourites to retain their gold medal.
It will be the first major competition with Brondello at the helm, after taking over from Brendan Joyce.
The Opals failed to win an Olympic medal at Rio for the first time since 1996, after which Cambage took a sabbatical from the game.
She returned to court for the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL last season, and will link with WNBA team the Dallas Wings this year.
“The group is very different with Sandy as coach. We all feel a lot more pressure off us as well,” Cambage said.
“It’s been a bit tense in the camp in the past couple of cycles, but it’s a really great feeling in the camp and a great group that loves working hard.
“For me especially, I had to take time away from basketball because I wasn’t loving it very much – but having Sandy as coach and this team is awesome.
“She’s brought the fun back into it. We work very hard but it’s a lot of fun as well.”
The hulking centre will have more responsibility in the paint with Townsville Fire star Suzy Batkovic ( overseas playing commitments) and Marianna Tolo ( ACL) unavailable for the tournament.
The team’s greatest concern was being able to fly into Townsville from a training camp in Mackay with Cyclone Iris threatening to strike.
“It’s heartbreaking losing Tolo again to another ACL in- jury. We were just with her in Mackay and I don’t know how she keeps a smile on her face all the time,” Cambage said.
“It gives another opportunity for young girls like Ezi ( Magbegor) to come through.
“Us Melbourne girls were very scared. It was a bit wet and wild in Mackay and we know the cyclone was moving downwards, and we thought we were going into the eye of the storm.
“But we’re all safe and sound, and happy to be here.”
The last time Cambage touched down in Townsville she was public enemy No. 1 after escaping a ban for rough conduct on Batkovic in game two of the WNBL grand final series.
The Fire won game three to claim the championship and Cambage is happy to return under different circumstances.
The Opals will begin their campaign against Mozambique tomorrow night at Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre from 9pm.
DAY ONE SCHEDULE TODAY
Games at Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre:
5.30pm: Scotland
8pm: Cameroon v India Men’s – England v