By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Pulling away in the second half, the United States started the bid for gold in the women’s tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games with a 102-76 victory versus Japan on Monday.
A’Ja Wilson paved the way with a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double plus four blocks and four assists. Breanna Stewart chipped in 22 points. Brittney Griner had 11 points and nine rebounds. Seeking a sixth Olympic gold medal, Diana Taurasi added two points in 14 minutes. For Japan, staying close for most of the first half, Maki Takada stood out with 24 points behind 10/11 field goals.
Opening Group C, Germany rocked reigning EuroBasket champion Belgium, 83-69. Satou Sabally scored 17 points, Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich followed with 16 points each, and Alexis Peterson added 15 points. On the losing end, Emma Meesseman logged a game-high 25 points.
France blows out Canada with record-breaking quarter
In Group B, hosting France recorded an impressive 75-54 victory against Canada with Gabby Williams combining 12 points with eight assists and five steals. Limiting the opponents to two points in the second quarter created a safe distance and a new record for the fewest points allowed in one single quarter across men’s and women’s Olympic Basketball Tournaments.
Earlier in Stade Pierre Mauroy, Ezinne Kalu dropped 19 points plus five rebounds, five assists, and three steals as Nigeria stunned Australia, 75-62. Promise Amukamara threw in 14 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals.
2024 Olympic Games
Group A
1. Serbia 2 (1-0)
2. Spain 2 (1-0)
3. China 1 (0-1)
4. Puerto Rico 1 (0-1)
Spain – China 90-89 OT (76-76)
Serbia – Puerto Rico 58-55
Puerto Rico – Spain (31/7)
China – Serbia (31/7)
China – Puerto Rico (3/8)
Serbia – Spain (3/8)
Group B
1. France 2 (1-0)
2. Nigeria 2 (1-0)
3. Australia 1 (0-1)
4. Canada 1 (0-1)
Nigeria – Australia 75-62
France – Canada 75-54
Australia – Canada (1/8)
France – Nigeria (1/8)
Canada – Nigeria (4/8)
France – Australia (4/8)
Group C
1. United States 2 (1-0)
2. Germany 2 (1-0)
3. Belgium 1 (0-1)
4. Japan 1 (0-1)
Germany – Belgium 83-69
United States – Japan 102-76
Japan – Germany (1/8)
Belgium – United States (1/8)
Japan – Belgium (4/8)
Germany – United States (4/8)
-The top two national teams of each group and the two best third-placed national teams advance to the Quarterfinals
From Lille to Paris, the Quarterfinals will be played on August 7, followed by the Semifinals on August 9 and the medal games on August 11.
Photo Credit: FIBA