When it seemed that China would take the first position in the medal table of the Olympics of Paris 2024, the The United States women’s basketball team showed its claws in the final against France and achieved an exciting victory (66-67) by one point that gave him the last gold in dispute and promoted the North American country to the top of the medal table.tied with the Asian in gold medals, but breaking the tie with his silvers.
Led by A’ja Wilson, that went from less to more to end with 21 points -which, together with 13 rebounds, made her not only the top scorer, but also the most valuable (25)-, the Americans suffered, but ended up making good on the predictions that made them the big favorites of a tournament after which Diana Taurasi -who did not play a single second this Sunday- became the first person in this sport to win six Olympic golds.
The first two baskets by Breanna Stewart and A’ja were answered by the naturalised Gabby Williams, the best French player (19 points, PIR of 20); with a triple and another score, the hosts were ahead (5-4) and, after beating Belgium in overtime in the semi-final, they had nothing to lose in the face of a mission that seemed ‘impossible’. And they were very, very close to achieving it.
The women, coached by Cheryl Reeves, who beat Nigeria in the quarterfinals – the first African team to reach that stage – and beat Australia in the semi-finals – who had just captured bronze – were unstoppable throughout the tournament until the last match. In which the host made them suffer before falling narrowly and completely.
Sue Bird, five-time Olympic champion with ‘Team USA’ (with whom she broke Taurasi’s tie in her favour this Sunday), now retired – present in numerous matches alongside Megan Rapinoe, one of the best footballers in history – had the honour of officiating the opening ceremony, that of the three baton blows, in homage to classical French theatre. In a final in which they wanted to support their compatriots LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Derrick White; who, after winning gold on Saturday night, They took a stroll around the Arena Bercy. Where the majority of the members of the runner-up team captained by Nicolas Batum and led by Victor Wembanyama cheered on their team.
Another of the winners of this tournament was Brittney Griner, who in just over a year and a half swapped the nightmare of Russian prisons for Olympic glory. The Texan, who captured her third gold, scored the two baskets that indicated the way forward at the end of the first quarter (9-15). The only four points he scored. But they were enough to make it three-time champion.
Under the watchful eye of President Emmanuel Macron, Valeriane Ayayi first scored a three-pointer from Marine Fauthou, followed by another basket from Janelle Salaun, giving the home team the lead (23-25) just before half-time. After a goal from Napheesa Collier, the score was tied at 25-25.
The United States clearly won the rebounding battle (30/20), which was not reflected in the scoreboard by their offensive failure: A’ja Wilson grabbed nine of them, but missed seven of her nine attempts; and went to the locker room with an unusual six points. France’s defensive aggression had caused thirteen turnovers by the big favorites during the first half.
At the resumption of a match in which Pau Gasolthe best basketball player in the history of Spain (now a member of the International Olympic Committee), He accompanied, along with his family, the widow -Vanessa- and the orphans -Natalia, Bianka and Capri- of the unforgettable Kobe Bryant, The Americans began to swallow tragedy when a 10-0 run put France ten points ahead (35-25).
The matter was raised to a question of state, because at that time China led the medal table with 40 golds, 27 silvers and 24 bronzes compared to the USA’s 39 golds, 44 silvers and 43 bronzes. That is to say, if the Americans won the match – the last competition of the Games – their country would lead – by the greatest number of second places – the final classification; an honour that would fall to the Asian giant otherwise.
So they had to wake up. And the Americans did. But they worked hard.
Kelsey Plum – gold in Tokyo, but in 3×3 – came close (33-35), when the connection between Sabrina Ionescu and Collier began to bear fruit. Together with the resurgence of Wilson, who left the Americans ahead (43-45) with the last ten minutes to go.
The tension was maintained until the end.because with four minutes left the scoreboard indicated a tie at 55. And with a minute and a half left, Williams brought France within one (59-60), with all of China cheering on the French.
Gabby Williams did the rest with a triple that, with five seconds left, put her team within one. Kahleah Copper scored two free throws for ‘Team USA’; and, Williams’ last shot was a two-pointer, not a three-pointer. And by just one point, the United States took the match, the gold. and the final medal table.
*With information from EFE.
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