The Opal standing between Australia and an early exit

It's officially do-or-die time for the Australian Opals' hopes at the 2026 FIBA World Cup.

Following Monday's loss to Belgium, Sandy Brondello's side now faces Italy in the Qualification Round to keep their medal dreams alive, with Spain awaiting the winner in the quarter-finals.

With the likes of Sami Whitcomb (injured) and Cayla George (pregnant) both unavailable and star forward Alanna Smith missing from the team's past two games due to injury, Australia's 3x3 women's coach Damon Lowery knows who needs to step up on Thursday.

"Captain Ezi Magbegor, it's on her," Lowery said on the WNBL Roundtable.

"We saw what she did at the last Olympic Games; she needs to grab the game by the scruff.

"Sometimes players' personalities don't always match their performance.

"Ezi's laid-back and softly spoken, but she's got to [channel] what's inside that's helped her have the career she's having in the WNBA.

"She's got to go, to hell with this; I'm about to go absolutely ham against the Italians.

"I'm asking for a 30-piece from her."

Lowery's comments are warranted with Magbegor, who won the 2021 WNBL title with Melbourne, currently averaging a team-high 15.7 points, as well as 6.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

As such, former Opal Alice Kunek agrees that Magbegor is the key to Australia's chances in Berlin.

"Talking about experience on the European stage, Ezi knows these girls, having played in the EuroLeague for three years," Kunek said.

"She's got a EuroLeague title to her name, so if anyone knows European basketball best out of our girls out there, it's Ezi.

"She's really got to find that vocal leadership, and she's got to take the game and say, 'this is my game if I want our Opals to be successful'.

"You don't want to put it all on one person, but if Ezi really steps up and leads to the front, everyone's going to follow suit."

Thursday's elimination fixture against Italy tips off at 4.45am AEST, live on ESPN via Disney+ and Kayo.

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