Basketball-U.S. on target for
eighth gold after beating Japan, France upset Canada
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[July 30, 2024]
By America Hernandez and Angelica Medina
PARIS (Reuters) - The United States romped to a resounding 102-76
victory over Japan in the women's basketball tournament at the
Pierre Mauroy stadium on Monday, demonstrating that the defending
champions are positioned to make a strong push for their eighth
consecutive Olympic gold medal.
In their Group C opener, the Americans took to the court with all
the firepower of Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson, who combined to
pour in 46 points, and under the leadership of captain Diana Taurasi,
who is making her sixth Games appearance in Paris.
Taurasi, 42, said she was happy to be back in Lille, where she often
played in the city during her time in the EuroLeague Women, and said
that more and more athletes like herself are reaching a stage of
long term in their careers.
"The world of sports has changed a lot and we have many
opportunities to improve ourselves physically, how to train and
more, that's why we see examples like Rudy (Fernandez) or Lebron
(James) and Rafael (Nadal)," Taurasi said. "Its happening in all
sports and it's one thing that will continue with the next
generation."
The Japanese, however, showed that they can also dance around the
court, capitalizing on seven three-point baskets in the first half
by Rui Machida and Mai Yamamoto. At just 5-foot, 7-inches (1.62 m)
tall, they proved they can still be dangerous and daring.
Hosts France pulled off a major upset in Group C, after overcoming a
first-quarter deficit to beat Canada 75-54.
Fifth-ranked Canada withered under a rally by the seventh-ranked
hosts, scoring just two points in the second quarter - the fewest
points ever scored by any team in a single quarter at the Olympics,
men or women.
French centre Marieme Badiane and forward Gabby Williams were the
heroes of the 'allez les bleues' evening, with the pair receiving a
rousing post-match ovation and posing for selfies with the crowd.
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Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Women's Group Phase - Group C -
Germany vs Belgium - Lille, Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneve-d'Ascq,
France - July 29, 2024. Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka of Belgium in action
against Satou Sabally of Germany REUTERS/Brian Snyder
On a day of surprises, favored Belgium got their
Olympic bid off to a bad start, losing 83-69 to debutantes Germany
in Group B.
Belgium were partly undone by Germany's dynamic Sabally sisters,
Satou and Nyara, who poured in 33 points between them.
The second shock of the Group B came when Nigeria beat Australia
75-62 as point guard Ezinne Kalu scored 19 points to help
12th-ranked Nigeria, the three-times defending African champions,
beat third-ranked Australia.
"Our defense were relentless," Kalu said.
"When we were on court, we smelt blood for the ball. Nobody defends
like us, and that's what kept us going," she said, adding, "second
half Australia came out very strong... But we just kept our foot on
the gas and kept going."
(Reporting by America Hernandez and Angelica Medina; Editing by Ken
Ferris and Bill Berkrot)
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