Girls just wanna have fun. Even if the girls in question are Olympians.

The Opals are heading to their sixth straight Olympic Games after beating New Zealand in the second leg of Oceania qualifying on Monday night.

It’s just another win in a string of impressive achievements for the women’s basketball team, who have won a medal at every Games since 1996, including three silver and two bronze.

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Before their impressive performance in Tauranga, the players were allowed a night off to attend a glamorous cocktail party at Melbourne’s Olsen Hotel.

They let The New Daily behind the scenes of their rare pre-party pampering session to get a glimpse into their off-court personas.

What did we find? Just like most women their age, they love cocktails, Japanese food and sleeping in. They wear heels despite their height and they’re big advocates of women’s sport and the role it has to play.

They’re also really well-placed to bring home the gold, according to former teammate Lauren Jackson.

“I’ve been in championship teams my whole career … and you have this feeling going into it, this air of success,” the four-time Olympian said.

“I feel like, at the moment, we have that. I really believe that we can do something special in Rio – we could win a gold medal, absolutely.”

Beauty, brains and serious skill – go Opals.

Natalie Burton, 26

“The way I see it, we don’t need to defend women’s sport. We go out and work as hard as the men do. Go watch a game and then judge it.”

Suzy Batkovic, 34

“I have superstitions [before a game]. Certain things have got to be done. In the change room I have to sit on an edge or a corner. It’s become a little game in my head now. My teammates are pretty good … I’ll always get the edge. No one else has that superstition so they’ll just move to give me an edge. And if they don’t and I play badly – I’ll just blame them [laughs].”

Laura Hodges, 31

“I’m one of the older girls in the team, so you can call me the Grandma. I’ve been to three Olympics.”

Tessa Lavey, 22

“I’m six-foot-five. [Laughs] No, I’m just 171 cm. There’s a stereotype that everyone is tall but we need the small players as well!”

Rachel Jarry, 23

“My first ever basketball coach, his name is Ian, he’s been a mentor my whole life. These last couple of years he’s been really sick with cancer so he’s always in my thoughts when I’m out playing. Not everyone has that sort of relationship with someone throughout their whole career. He always tells me the truth.”

Alice Kunek, 24

“I was always taller than everyone. I’m 187cm but I always wear heels, you’ve got to embrace it.”

Stephanie Talbot, 21

“I’ve always been good at ignoring the crowd, they’ve never bothered me. But I’ve never had anyone bagging me from the sidelines. Not yet.”

Tess Madgen, 25

“I am studying to be a PE teacher as well, but basketball is obviously my main focus so I’m pretty much just doing whatever it takes.”

The Olympic team

Back row L-R: Natalie Burton, Stephanie Talbot, Sara Blicavs, Suzy Batkovic, Alice Kunek, Laura Hodges, Rachel Jarry, Belinda Snell. Front row L-R: Tess Madgen, Tessa Lavey, Kelly Wilson, Katie-Rae Ebzery.

– with ABC