The finals of the Diamond Ball Tournament (a friendly tune-up before heading into the Olympics) will feature the highly anticipated match-up between super-powers US and Australia after both squads went 2-0 in their respective groups. The tourney also featured 2006 WC silver medalist Russia (ya know, that squad that knocked Sue and company out of the WC gold medal match back then?) and emerging China.

The Australian Opals, led by captain Lauren Jackson (Seattle Storm) won over China (84-70) and Mali (112-43) to get to the finals. LJ posted some very nice numbers (which is not that much of a surpise, BTW). Suzy Batkovic and Penny Taylor, among others, added the necessary supporting firepower.

The US Women, on the other hand, had to face Latvia and emerged victorious through balanced scoring (84-74). And then they had to face Russia (ya know, that squad that knocked Sue and company out of the WC gold medal match back then? Yes, that Russia). It was the first match-up for point guard Becky Hammon (San Antonio Silver Stars) against her home country. The US won 93-58 in that suprisingly lopsided game.