And Tully makes twelve: Opals women's hoops are together at last

(BEIJING, July 23) -- Tully Bevilaqua returned to Australia on July 21 to join already in-progress Opals practices as the Australian Women's Basketball team prepares for Olympic competition.

The arrival of the 36-year-old Indian Fever point guard, who played for Australia when they captured the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women, signifies the whole team is finally together for workouts. She is joining them on their final day of training at Gold Coast's Canungra Army base.

Due to an abundance of talented Australian point guards, Bevilaqua was not chosen to play for her country at the 2004 Athens Games. She describes her elation when coach Jan Stirling said she would be going to Beijing.

''It was good to finally hear the words,'' Bevilaqua said.

"[Stirling] came over and met me in Houston and we spoke then and now to hear the words 'you're in, you're going.' It was a dream come true."

Australia will play against Belarus in the opening game of the Olympic Basketball Tournament for Women on August 9 at 9:00 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8).