Previewing U.S. women's basketball semifinal vs. Australia with a chance for eighth straight gold medal - ESPN

Two global rivals will meet again on Friday, as the United States women's basketball team goes up against the Australian Opals with a spot in the gold medal match of the 2024 Paris Games on the line.

Team USA, which is riding a streak of 59 consecutive Olympic wins, advanced to the semifinals with an 88-74 triumph over Nigeria on Wednesday. Following an upset loss to Nigeria in their Olympic opener, the Opals have strung together three straight victories, including Wednesday's 85-67 quarterfinal win over Serbia.

While the U.S. women have been the gold standard for basketball across the world, winning seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and nine overall, Australia has been a historic powerhouse alongside them. The Opals have medaled in five of the past seven Summer Games, taking home three silvers and two bronze, although their semifinal run in Paris marks the first time they've advanced past the quarterfinals since the 2012 London Games.

2012 also was the last time the legendary Lauren Jackson suited up on the Olympic stage for the green and gold — until now. While Team USA has 42-year-old, six-time Olympian Diana Taurasi, the Opals have Jackson, 43, appearing in her fifth Games and first in 12 years. Jackson has always medaled in the competition, and though she has seen limited action so far in France, she has a chance to continue that streak this weekend.

Australia — which boasts six active WNBA players — has plenty of momentum, but the Opals are 0-20 all time against the U.S. senior national team, including 0-8 in Olympic competition. During the streak of five Games in which they've medaled, the Australians lost to the U.S. either in the semifinals or the gold medal contest. The squads last met in 2020, when the