TURKEY 2014: Hosts look to enhance pride, Opals seek redemption in Third-Place Game

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Turkey are the hosts of the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women. And Australia, the winners of the 2006 edition of the tournament, are aiming to return to the podium after that heady finish in Brazil eight years ago.

Those two sentences should be enough to describe the intensity of action that can be expected when the two face off in the Third-Place Game at Fenerbahce Arena on Sunday.

Both teams carried an unbeaten record through the Group Phase - Turkey in Group B in Ankara and Australia in Group C on the 'European' side of Istanbul - and came through contrasting Quarter-Final wins before going down better equipped rivals in the Semi-Finals.

Turkey's campaign began with a brilliant comeback win over France then took Canada and Mozambique in their stride before scraping through by the skin of their teeth against Serbia. Against Spain in the Semi-Finals, though the hosts' challenge fell to a more cohesive unit running on the inspiration of Alba Torrens.

Australia on the other hand, weren't challenged much by Cuba, Korea and Belarus in the Group Phase and didn't break much of a sweat against Canada in the Quarter-Finals. The Opals, though, were found wanting when facing the juggernaut of reigning champions USA in the Semi-Finals.

Sunday's 'Battle for Bronze' therefore looks well set.

Australia came into the competition without their star player Liz Cambage who was ruled out through injury. Despite this, they have done extremely well with their teamwork to compensate for her absence.

In Penny Taylor, who is donning an Opals jersey for the first time since the 2010 FIBA World Championship in the Czech Republic, the Australians have an inspirational leader. Erin Phillips, who plays alongside Taylor for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, has proved more than a capable ally.

Leilani Mitchell has risen to the occasion when needed and youngsters Tessa Lavey and Rebecca Allen have shown enough glimpses of their enormous potential while executing the plans devised by Brendan Joyce.

Australia, however, have to contend with an additional factor - that of playing in front of a partisan crowd, who will be cheering for Turkey.

The vociferous home support which played a crucial role in tilting the scales in favour of the Turks in the Quarter-Final win over Serbia will be as loud once again.

The crowd alone is not Turkey's strength.

Lara Sanders has justified her selection as the team's naturalised player with a steady performance throughout the tournament at both ends of the floor. Isil Alben, who buried that crucial three-pointer in Turkey's opening win against France, has been delivering when the chips are down. And veteran center Nevriye Yilmaz showed some delightful return to form in the Semi-Final against Spain.

Turkey are out there to enhance their reputation as a force to be reckoned with by finishing on the podium. Australia, are seeking for redemption for their pride.

This contest is bound to go down the history books.

FIBA