When the mud settled in 3×3 play on the ladies’s aspect, a brand new gold medal winner was topped, with Germany defeating Spain 17-16. Crew USA failed to finish their gold medal protection, however got here up victorious within the bronze medal match, beating Canada 16-13.
A pair of down-to-the-wire semifinals
Monday started with the semifinal matches. First, it was Spain vs. america, adopted by Germany vs. Canada. Spain pulled off the upset, beating Crew USA 18-16 to advance to the gold medal recreation.
The Spaniards emerged victorious not solely due to superior late-game execution, but in addition as a result of the Individuals missed free throws and dedicated too many fouls, which put Spain within the bonus early.
The sport was even at 16 on the finish of regulation, leading to additional time play. With a 2-point shot robotically securing the consequence, Spain seemed for the win. Nevertheless, Vega Gimeno missed the shot from deep. She bought her personal rebound, and Sandra Ygueravide scored a 1-point basket to present Spain the lead. With Crew USA having possession, in addition they seemed for a game-clinching basket. Rhyne Howard aimed to finish issues along with her 2-point try however missed large. Ygueravide then drove baseline, and Dearica Hamby was known as for the foul. The foul appeared tender, however Ygueravide hit her free throw, ending the sport and making certain a brand new gold medal winner can be named on the Paris Olympics.
Germany-Canada was equally as aggressive, with Germany successful 16-15. Sonja Greinacher received the sport on a buzzer-beating drive within the recreation’s closing seconds. Greinacher gave an impressed efficiency for Germany, scoring 11 factors on 9-for-10 capturing en path to the win. Canada’s balanced assault noticed three gamers rating 4 factors, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient down the stretch to get the consequence.
Crew USA takes the bronze
With a bronze medal on the road, Crew USA and Canada gave us one other entertaining recreation. The Individuals got here out on high 16-13, with Hailey Van Lith doing a whole lot of the heavy lifting as she scored a team-high six factors.
Crew USA received regardless of failing to transform a single 2-point shot and shedding the rebounding battle, 15-13. Fouls, nevertheless, went Crew USA’s method as they secured the consequence due to free throws made by Hamby and Cierra Burdick in the course of the recreation’s closing possessions. Crew USA received gold on the Tokyo Olympics and now has a bronze medal so as to add to their trophy room.
Germany is golden
Within the gold medal match, Germany beat Spain 17-16, with Greinacher scoring the important thing factors that gave the Germans the benefit. Spain nonetheless had one closing possession to attempt to even the rating or take the lead, however after Gracia Alonso missed a shot to tie it, time expired and the consequence went Germany’s method.
Greinacher was the star for Germany all through the sport. She scored 5 factors, together with two massive 2-point pictures to assist Deutschland style gold in 3×3 play. Whereas Spain is undoubtedly disillusioned on this consequence, a silver medal and defeating america looks like a fairly good comfort prize.
Key takeaways
On the 2020 Olympics, america received gold, Russia bought silver and China earned bronze. Three years later, Germany claims the gold, Spain has the silver and USA holds the bronze. Out of six medals in two Olympics, 5 totally different nations have received. That demonstrates the parity and issue of dominating this comparatively new sport at this aggressive degree.
Crew USA should retool to return to the highest for the 2028 Video games in Los Angeles. Germany will look to repeat, whereas Spain, Canada and different nations will undoubtedly emerge as contenders subsequent cycle. These are all issues to debate within the weeks, months and years forward. For now, Germany can maintain their head up excessive and declare themselves as queens of 3×3.
