The Opals will battle for bronze at the women's basketball world championship after a 12-point defeat by tournament favourites the United States in the semi-finals.
Australia fought hard until the final buzzer but found the world's top-ranked side too strong in a 82-70 loss Istanbul on Saturday night, bowing out of gold medal contention.
The Opals will meet Turkey in Sunday's (Monday morning AEDT) bronze medal match after the tournament hosts lost 66-56 to Spain in the other semi.
Australia impressed in reaching the last four without injured stars Liz Cambage and Lauren Jackson but a star-studded American side again proved their big-tournament nemesis.
The second-ranked Opals have lost to the US at the past five Olympic Games, including in the semi-finals in London two years ago.
Australian coach Brendan Joyce said his side paid for a series of lapses against the US on Saturday but believes his players do not deserve to leave Turkey empty-handed.
"There's a bronze medal up for grabs and we will be giving it everything," Joyce said.
"This team I've got here, we're missing a couple of major players thorough injury but they deserve success and that's what I've told them: `you've got to take what you deserve'."
Australia made a bright start, leading for much of the first quarter, but struggled under intense defensive pressure from the US to shoot at just 21 per cent in the first period.
The US led 19-16 at the first break but dominated the second quarter to take a 42-30 lead into halftime.
Despite captain Penny Taylor's court time being limited due to foul trouble, Australia fought back gamely after the main break.
With Erin Phillips and Leilani Mitchell providing the offensive spark, they twice cut the deficit to six points.
But each time they got a sniff, Australia couldn't convert at crucial times and allowed the US to get away.
"We just know they're a great team and if you turn the ball over, they're going to run on you and get easy baskets and it's the same if you take bad shots," Joyce said.
"But I'm very proud of my team and my players, the way the played tonight.
"They stayed at the task and a 12-point result I feel is still quite positive."
Phoenix WNBA star Phillips had a game-high 19 points while Marianna contributed 10 points and six rebounds to continue an impressive tournament.
Maya Moore and Tina Charles did most of the damage for the US, with 18 and 16 points respectively, while the US dominated the boards 49-33 and limited Australia to 34 per cent shooting from the field.
Australia will bid for a fourth medal in the past five world championships, having won gold in 2006 and taking bronze in 1998 and 2002.
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