Paris, France – The United States women’s basketball team continued their dominant pursuit of an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal with an 88-74 victory over Nigeria in the quarter-finals. This win sets up a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Australia, who secured their spot by defeating Serbia 85-67. The semi-final showdown is scheduled for Friday, promising a thrilling contest for a place in the gold-medal match.
Nigeria’s journey to the quarter-finals marked a historic achievement as they became the first African team, male or female, to reach this stage of the Olympic basketball tournament. Their path was paved with a decisive win over Canada in their final group match. Despite an impressive start to their Olympic campaign, including a victory over Australia in their opening pool game, the challenge posed by the experienced American team was formidable.
In the quarter-final matchup, Nigeria, known as D’Tigress, ended the first quarter trailing by nine points. The gap widened to 19 points by halftime as the Americans began to impose their dominance. By the third quarter, the USA extended their lead to 28 points, ultimately securing a comfortable victory at Accor Arena.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s performance, USA coach Cheryl Reeve stated, “Nigeria played with incredible heart and determination. They’ve made history and should be proud of their achievements in this tournament.”
Since the inception of women’s basketball at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, the United States has been a formidable force, claiming nine out of twelve possible gold medals. Their continued dominance in the sport underscores their status as the team to beat. “We have a legacy to uphold, and every game we play is another step towards that goal,” said USA captain Breanna Stewart.
The upcoming semi-final between the USA and Australia promises to be an exciting contest. Australia, having dispatched Serbia with a commanding performance, will be eager to challenge the Americans for a place in the final. Commenting on the upcoming game, Australian coach Sandy Brondello remarked, “Facing the USA is always a tough challenge, but our team is ready. We believe in our ability to compete with the best.”
In the other semi-final, hosts France will face Belgium. France advanced by defeating Germany, while Belgium triumphed over Spain with a 79-66 victory. Marine Johannes was instrumental in France’s 84-71 win, scoring a game-high 24 points. France aims to complete their medal collection with a gold on home soil, having previously won silver at the London 2012 Olympics and bronze at Tokyo 2020.
Belgium, making their Olympic debut in 2020 and finishing seventh, has shown remarkable progress. Their win against Spain ensures they will compete for a medal in Paris, marking a significant milestone for the team. Belgian captain Emma Meesseman commented, “This is a historic moment for us. We’re excited to be in the semi-finals and ready to give it our all.”
The semi-finals set the stage for a thrilling showdown, with the losers moving to the bronze medal match. The world will be watching as these talented teams compete for Olympic glory. As the USA continues their quest for another gold, fans anticipate an electrifying performance from all the semi-final contenders.
