Australia's shock fifth placing at the women's basketball world championships may have happened more than 16 months ago, but it is still fresh in the mind of Opals coach Carrie Graf.
Graf labels it a reality check for optimists hoping the Opals can claim an elusive Olympic gold at the London Games this year.
The Australian women have claimed a bronze and three silvers from the past four Olympics.
Graf is under no illusions about the challenge which awaits her team in London, admitting the Opals will need something special to outstrip their current ranking - equal second with Russia behind the US.
''Gold is not our focus right now,'' she said.
''We're coming off a fifth at the world championships so getting on the podium is going to be tough.
''Then, it's about seeing if we can do something special and try and chase a gold.''
Graf has committed the Opals to a dedicated three-month lead-in for the London Games, which will mean players must sacrifice some of the WNBA season.
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