Huge injury blows have hurt Australia's hopes at the women's basketball world championship but not their ambition.
The Opals head into the tournament in Turkey, starting on Saturday, without leading lights Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage but coach Brendan Joyce is convinced he has a squad still capable of challenging for gold.
With superstar Jackson (hip) already ruled out of the tournament, the Opals suffered another huge blow when Cambage ruptured her Achilles tendon in a warm-up match against the US last week.
However a 71-55 win over fourth-ranked France in Paris a day later convinced Joyce he had the depth and team spirit to fill the gaping hole left by the injured stars.
"To me that (result) is proof that we can get it done with the team we've got," Joyce said ahead of Australia's opening group match against Cuba on Saturday.
"If we play like we did against France, and that's what we will have to do, we can beat anybody.
"Our goal, I'll tell you now, it hasn't changed.
"Our goal is to get to that final four and take it from there.
"But we've got to get there and also know that with the obstacles that have been put in place and the challenges that have occurred, it's going to be that bit harder."
While Joyce stressed only a team effort would cover the losses, he singled out veteran Penny Taylor as a figure capable of inspiring the team.
Taylor, 33, will captain the Opals in Turkey after fighting her way back from two injury-plagued seasons.
"Penny has the ability to raise the standard in others and that's what leadership is from my point of view," Joyce said of Taylor, who this month won a WNBA title with Phoenix.
"We certainly need that right now with everything that's happened."
Taylor's Phoenix teammate Erin Phillips will also add valuable to experience to a squad featuring six players making their first world championship appearances, including exciting prospects Tessa Lavey and Rebecca Allen.
A new-look Australian squad is looking to maintain the nation's proud tradition in women's basketball having earned medals at the past five Olympics and three of the past four world championships.
The Opals claimed gold at the event in Brazil eight years ago but were surprisingly knocked out in the semi-finals in the Czech Republic in 2010.
Joyce's side is tipped to top a group also featuring South Korea and Belarus and earn direct progression to the quarter-finals.
However the coach has identified Saturday's clash with 2013 Americas champion Cuba in Istanbul as a tricky first-up assignment.
"I really believe they're a dangerous team. They didn't become No.1 in the Americas for no reason," Joyce said.
"Every team is going to be respected by us and we'd be silly not to."
2014 FIBA WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Turkey, September 27-October 5
Groups (Location of preliminary round matches)
Group A (Ankara): Brazil, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic
Group B (Ankara): Mozambique, Turkey, France, Canada
Group C (Istanbul): Australia, South Korea, Cuba, Belarus
Group D (Istanbul): Serbia, China, United States, Angola
Australia's FIBA world ranking: 2nd
2010 world championships finish: 5th
Best world championships finish: 1st (2006)
Odds: USA $1.08, Spain $13, Australia $15, France $19
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