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Rio Olympics 2016: Tears flow for Opals in shock loss to Serbia

Devastated Aussies Marianna Tolo, Rachel Jarry and Penny Taylor after losing to Serbia.

Devastated Aussies Marianna Tolo, Rachel Jarry and Penny Taylor after losing to Serbia. Photo: Getty

It wasn’t meant to end this way.

The Opals, so often the bridesmaids on the Olympic stage, were primed to deliver an elusive gold medal in Rio.

Three times – in 2000, 2004 and 2008 – they had fallen agonisingly short, while they also have two bronze medals in 1996 and 2012 to show for their efforts.

But this time around, it was supposed to different. Wasn’t it?

The Opals were favourites to win a medal and fight the United States for gold.

Instead, Australia, ranked second in the world, will be watching from the sidelines following a shock 73-71 quarter-final loss to Serbia on Wednesday morning (AEST).

The Opals just couldn’t find any rhythm against the top European qualifiers and struggled to hold on to the ball, conceding a massive 26 turnovers.

“There were definitely sloppy moments for us, and ones that will haunt us for the next four years,” Erin Phillips said through tears.

Liz Cambage starred with 29 points and 11 rebounds despite being hammered from pillar to post by an aggressive Serbian outfit. She was visibly upset after the match and was reportedly too distressed to talk to media.

Retiring veteran Penny Taylor fought back tears as she spoke to the Seven Network, and blamed the loss on a horror turnover count.

“I think we struggled to contain them. They spread us out pretty well and containment was a big issue, throwing the ball away was a big issue,” she said.

“It’s really disappointing. I think I could have contributed more, to say the least.”

“This sucks but I’m always proud to play for my country.”

Serbia are all smiles after their surprise win.

Serbia are all smiles after their surprise win. Photo: Getty

The Opals went into the game with a perfect 5-0 record from the group stage, while Serbia had finished fourth in Group B with a 2-3 record.

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Prior to the match, Australia coach Brendan Joyce warned that Serbia would be no pushovers.

And that’s exactly how it turned out with the Aussies unable to break away from the 14th-ranked Serbians.

No more than two points separated the sides at each change, with Australia holding a one-point lead heading into the final term.

Liz Cambage tried her heart out but she finished the game in tears.

Liz Cambage tried her heart out but she finished the game in tears. Photo: Getty

Serbia’s Ana Dabovic, who finished with 24 points, sank a clutch basket with 27 seconds to go before landing a free throw to seal an unlikely victory in the final 10 seconds.

“I’m really happy,” Dabovic said. “We showed we’re not European champions by accident.”

Rachel Jarry finished with 14 points and four assists for Australia, with Leilani Mitchell and Erin Phillips each adding 10 points.

Australia's Penny Taylor and Serbia's Danielle Page contest the ball during the quarterfinal at the Carioca Arena. Photo: Getty/Phil Walter

Australia’s Penny Taylor and Serbia’s Danielle Page contest the ball during the quarterfinal at the Carioca Arena. Photo: Getty

The last time Australia missed out on a medal was at the 1988 Seoul Games, where they finished fourth.

“We were confident of getting through this and getting to the medal rounds,” Joyce said.

“But we’ve been knocked out and it is really difficult to swallow … we had hoped the three-and-a-half years of work would still give us an opportunity to medal. And realistically, we should have. No excuses.”

Serbia will play Spain in the semi-finals after a buzzer-beating goal gave them a win against Turkey, 64–62.

-with AAP

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