The United States beat France 86-67 to secure their ninth trip to the women’s Olympic basketball final, where they will meet medal game debutantes Spain.
In pursuit of a sixth consecutive gold medal, the world number one United States encountered more resistance from feisty fourthranked France than they have from other opponents in Rio. They also suffered with the absence of team anchor Sue Bird, benched by a sprained knee.
The Americans’ 19-point margin of victory was far below their average of 41.7 in their first six games in Rio, and at half-time they were ahead by a mere four points. Bird, a veteran guard and captain, helped the team recover for the second half with a calm talk in the locker room. The 35-year-old said there is no guarantee she will be able to return for the final today.
“She obviously wants to play, I want her to play. We are a much better team when she is on the floor,” USA coach Geno Auriemma told reporters. In the other semi-final, Spain eased past Serbia 68-54, and, while delighted to be assured of their first women’s Olympic basketball medal, they were sanguine about their chances to defeat what they consider a “dream team”. “It is impossible to beat them. It will be very, very complicated,” Spain forward Laura Nicholls said after the match.
“But this is a final you have to see, you have to play and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. I’m sorry, but you have to be realistic.” The US team extended their Olympic winning streak to 48-0 since 1992.
Spain, who had edged Serbia 65-59 in their opening group game, dominated from the start, storming to 20-9 lead in the opening quarter and never trailed the rest of the way. Alba Torrens and Astou Ndour led Spain with 14 points apiece while Nicholls chipped in with 13. “I cannot explain how we won with such a big margin after suffering so much in the quarter-finals,” said Spain’s Laura Quevedo.
“This is history for us. We had never made it past the quarterfinals before and now we are in the tournament final.” The American women said they are taking Spain seriously even though they defeated them by a resounding 103-63 in their second game in Rio.
“We’ve got to be serious and really get this because it is going to be a different game,” said forward Angel McCoughtry.