Earlier than the Paris Olympics started, Group C within the ladies’s 5×5 basketball competitors didn’t appear very compelling, however that’s why we play the video games. We’ve had some surprisingly aggressive video games, and some international locations have been spectacular.
Nonetheless, the extra issues change, the extra they continue to be the identical.
Belgium pushed Staff USA, staying within the sport for a lot of the contest earlier than the People ended issues within the fourth and received 87-74. Germany continues outperforming its FIBA rating, beating Japan 75-64 and remaining undefeated in Paris. Staff USA and Germany have now formally clinched spots within the quarterfinals, getting into the ultimate video games of the group stage.
Staff USA, human in spite of everything?
Sure, they’ve received 57 video games in a row and haven’t misplaced an Olympic sport since 1992. Nonetheless, two video games in, Staff USA has appeared… human? They’re nonetheless the favorites to win the gold and nonetheless dominant, however they’re not an infinitely tall mountain nobody can climb.
Belgium, which shares a border with France, had what seemed like a house crowd in Paris. The power was palpable and expanded past the stadium to my Southern California house. A crowd might help, however it may well solely take you to date. You need to play nicely for the gang to matter, and Belgium held up their finish of the cut price. Emma Meesseman, a former WNBA Finals MVP who followers are nicely conscious of, placed on a present, scoring 24 factors on 11-for-19 capturing. Halfway by means of the second half, Staff USA was main, however it was nonetheless a two-possession sport.
Whereas the purple, white and blue didn’t look invincible, they had been nonetheless unbeatable. Breanna Stewart was electrical with 26 factors, and A’ja Wilson had a double-double with 23 factors and 13 rebounds. With Staff USA up by double digits in waning seconds, Sabrina Ionescu, reminded by the American sideline of the potential significance of level differential, put an exclamation level on the win by nailing a 3-pointer and actually telling the gang to be quiet. The second appeared eerily just like when Kobe Bryant made the identical gesture on the 2008 Olympics in London.
Satou Sabally is nice at basketball
She has missed all the WNBA season attributable to harm, however Satou Sabally is again and taking part in for Germany on the Olympics. She’s even higher than you bear in mind and the Germans are counting on her to take them so far as she will be able to. Thus far, that’s resulted in two wins and a 33-point efficiency on Thursday.
Japan had no reply for Sabally, however then once more, nobody actually does. Seeing how far the Germans will go on this match shall be fascinating, as they may upset fairly just a few groups if Sabally retains this present kind up.
What to look at on Sunday
Germany will face the final word take a look at versus Staff USA at 11:15 a.m. ET (USA Community) on Sunday. Sabally may be very aware of the People, and though they haven’t appeared like juggernauts, they’ve a roster you don’t need to see totally engaged. It will likely be fascinating to see how aggressive a sport Germany could make this one.
The 2 winless groups, Japan and Belgium, are nonetheless in rivalry. Nonetheless, somebody should win by a big margin to leap up and land a top-eight spot. I doubt it occurs, but when it does, my cash is on Belgium being the nation that will get it carried out. Japan and Belgium will play one another at 5 a.m. ET (Peacock) on Sunday.
Recreation info
Japan vs. Belgium
When: Sunday, August 4 at 5:00 a.m. ET
The place: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
Find out how to watch: Peacock
USA vs. Germany
When: Sunday, August 4 at 11:15 a.m. ET
The place: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
Find out how to watch: USA Community
