Dramatic finale in women’s basketball! The United States won the Olympic medal table thanks to this
Nikita Biryukov August 11, 2024, 19:10 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
An incredibly intense match in the final of the Olympic Games.
On the final day of the Paris Olympics, only silver and gold remain to be won in women’s basketball. Not only is the US team the reigning Olympic champion, but the last time it failed to take first place was back in 1992. However, the intrigue is completely different!
Olympic Games (w). Final
August 11, 2024, Sunday. 16:30 Moscow time
France: Williams – 19, Eei-Vukosavljevic – 9, Joanne – 9, Fotu – 8, Badian – 8, Lacan – 7, Chartereau – 4, Salaun – 2, Michel, Rupert, Malonga, Bernier
United States: Wilson – 21, Plum – 12, Copper – 12, Stewart – 8, Collier – 7, Greiner – 4, Young – 2, Thomas – 1, Lloyd, Ionescu, Gray, Taurasi
All eyes were on the final as the United States battles China for the top spot in the Olympic medal standings. The Americans won 39 gold, 44 silver and 43 bronze medals, while the Chinese won 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze. The Stars and Stripes have a much larger total, but the fate of the top spot in the overall standings of the main awards is still up for grabs. As it turns out, to be first, the United States had to beat France in the final.
The US women’s team made it to the final without any problems. None of the opponents managed to get within 10 points of the US team – all the matches ended with a huge advantage. France was amazing in the first half of the final match. The hosts of the Olympic Games forced the fight in every part of the court and the teams went to a long break without a leader in the game – 25:25. By the way, LeBron James came to cheer on the US team. The king took with him the gold medal from the Paris Olympics.
Bam Adebayo (left), LeBron James (center)
Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
The second half was a similar struggle: there were five minutes left in the game and the score was tied at 51:51. France fought until the last seconds. Gabby Williams finally scored a three-pointer, then the French had to commit a foul, the difference in the score became “+3” in favor of the Americans. Williams himself made the last shot of the game, but he stepped on the line with one foot, so the judges counted only two points. 67:66 – American victory!
The game was not productive because there was too much at stake. Aja Wilson scored the most points with 21 and added 13 rebounds. Williams finished with a France-best 19 points and seven rebounds. But more importantly, the United States not only won its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, but also surpassed China in the medal standings. This is history now.
There is another story worth mentioning. Diana Taurasi, the long-time leader of the US women’s team, won her sixth gold medal at the Olympic Games. The first time she became the champion at the Games in Athens (2004), and then she did not miss a single Olympics. No one else has such an achievement in team sports! The legendary basketball player definitely has something to be proud of.
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