Australia vs. Serbia final score, result: Opals put on dominant display in Olympic women's quarterfinal

The Australian Opals are guaranteed to play for an Olympic medal in Paris, after a dominant win over Serbia saw the team qualify for the semifinals. 

Australia went up early and stayed there, learning from the mistakes of the Boomers as they held their nerve to claim an 18 point victory.

Jade Melbourne and Alanna Smith starred for the team, as they progress one step further than their infamous Tokyo Olympic campaign three years ago.

After a slow start to the tournament, losing to Nigeria in their opening game, the Opals bounced back with wins over Canada and France to qualify for the knockout rounds in second place in Group B. 

Their reward? Facing either gold medal favourites Team USA, or the Nigerian team that stopped them in a historic boilover in their opening game. 

The USA is riding a 58-game win streak in Olympic competition, a stretch which goes back to 1992 and seven-straight gold medals. 

MORE OLYMPICS COVERAGE: What events are at the Olympics tonight? | Australia's gold, silver, bronze medal count at Paris 2024 | How much are Australian Olympians paid? 

The Sporting News tracked all the live score updates and highlights throughout the game.

Australia vs Serbia basketball score

Australia vs. Serbia updates, highlights from 2024 Olympic women's basketball

(All times Australian Eastern Standard Time)

FINAL: Australia 85, Serbia 67

8:42 p.m. - Amy Atwell dribbles out the clock and Australia will play semi-final basketball. Opals win 85-67.

8:39 p.m. - Jade Melbourne and Alanna Smith leave the floor to applause. The future of Australian basketball looks to be in solid hands with those two. Opals lead 84-64.

8:34 p.m. - With three minutes left, Serbia sub out all of their starters, seemingly waving the white flag. If the Opals can hold their 20-point lead, they're guaranteed to play for a medal.

8:30 p.m. - Jovanovic hits a three, Smith answers with two of her own, and then Anderson is sent to the charity stripe. Australian fans pretend not to feel deja vu. 

8:25 p.m. - Nogic hits a three and suddenly the lead is back under 20. Not panic stations yet for the Opals, but a reminder to not let their foot off the gas too early. 

8:24 p.m. - Alanna Smith continues to dominate on the boards, already pulling down 10 and scoring 20 points to notch a double-double. Opals lead 75-53.

8:22 p.m. - Another clean three for George - after missing her first shot of the fourth, she made sure to hit this one, as the Opals hold Serbia at a 25-point deficit.

8:17 p.m. - Cayla George holds the ball as the clock runs out in the third quarter, and the Opals hold a dominant lead as things stand. 10 more minutes and the Australian women will be playing for an Olympic medal. Opals lead 72-48.

8:12 p.m. - Angela Dugalic laces a deep three, but Cayla George hits right back with one of her own. Australia keeping Serbia at arms reach for now. Opals lead 70-42.

8:06 p.m. - This game is beginning to get chippy, with some sloppy play and extra physicality from both sides. Melbourne draws an offensive foul, after she hits the ground for not the first time this quarter.

8:00 p.m. - Steph Talbot leaves an easy one on the rim, but makes up for it with a tough steal, and a pristine back cut that leads to another open look - this time she converts. 

7:58 p.m. - Two bad misses underneath for Ezi Magbegor, combined with some tough finishing from Serbia, and the lead slowly shrinks. Opals lead 52-39.

7:56 p.m. - Alanna Smith starts the second half the same way she played in the first, drawing contact and heading to the line for two free throws, both of which she makes. 

7:39 p.m. - A late Raca layup makes things look slightly better, but the Opals dominate the first half of this game. 20 minutes stand between them and the medal rounds, but if there's one thing Australian basketball fans have learned, it's not to count out a Serbian team down big at half-time. Opals lead 48-32.

7:37 p.m. - Two brilliant passes from Jade Melbourne, the second being a Ginobli-esque whip pass through traffic that sends Cayla George to the charity stripe. 

7:34 p.m. - Serbia press out of the timeout, ultimately causing two straight Opals turnovers. The result for the team in white is a wide-open three, and they pull to within 10. Opals lead 30-20.

7:32 p.m. - The Opals' defence looks to tighten, forcing a Serbian shot-clock violation. However, a Jovana Nogic mid-range jumper next time down the floor causes Sandy Brondello to call an Opals timeout. 

7:27 p.m. - Jade Melbourne is coming to life in this one. Up to 10 points thanks to another three, followed by a full-court assist to Sami Whitcomb. Opals take the biggest lead of the game, 36-23.

7:23 p.m. - The Opals open the quarter with two easy layups, before Serbia get two of their own to bring the score back within seven. The Serbian defence has notably ratcheted up in intensity in this quarter, doubling ball handlers and forcing turnovers early.

7:19 p.m. - Jade Melbourne drains a DEEP three, but Ivana Raca answers with a wide-open layup as the clock expires in the first quarter. Opals lead 26-19.

7:14 p.m. - Five straight from Cayla George and the Opals pull further away, currently up by eight with just two minutes in the first quarter.

7:08 p.m - The Opals ball movement has picked up right where they left off against France, with four of their first six field goals all assisted. Opals lead 13-9.

7:06 p.m. - Great sequence from Alanna Smith with the block on one end, before running the floor for the easy two. Opals lead 8-4.

7:04 p.m. - We're underway at Bercy Arena as Nogic attacks the rim for the easy layup for the first score of the game.

Pre-game

6:57 p.m. - Serbia will start with Sara Cadjo, Yvonne Anderson, Jovana Nogic, Masa Jankovic, and Tina Krajišnik. 

6:55 p.m. - The Opals will start with Sami Whitcomb, Jade Melbourne, Steph Talbot, Alanna Smith, and Ezi Magbegor.

GO TIME. The Opals starting 5 vs Serbia

⏰ 7:00pm AEST
📺 9NOW
📊 https://t.co/czjoGcSZjD#WeAreBasketball | #GoOpals | #AllezAUS pic.twitter.com/tvXAaVkCYu

— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) August 7, 2024

5:30 p.m. - Here's the Opals' path to gold. 

ROAD TO GOLD 🥇

Women’s #Basketball Quarter-Finals are here 🔥#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/fRJCaPeLRI

— FIBA (@FIBA) August 4, 2024

What time is Australia vs Serbia tonight?

• Date: Wednesday, August 7
• Time: 7:00 p.m. AEST

Australia vs Serbia will tip off at 7:00 p.m. AEST on Wednesday, August 7.  The game will be played at Bercy Arena, France.

What channel is Australia vs Serbia on tonight?

• TV channel: Channel Nine
• Live Stream: 9Now/Stan Sport

Australia vs Serbia will air on the Nine Network. Viewers will be able to stream the games on 9Now and Stan Sport. 

Australian Opals Paris Olympics schedule 

Australian Opals women's basketball roster 2024

Serbia women's basketball roster 2024