Team USA dominated their semifinal game against Australia and secured their spot in the highly anticipated gold medal game on Sunday. Their opponent will be the home team, France, who emerged victorious in their overtime battle against Belgium. The Americans are heavily favored to win, with a 15.5-point spread and a -1400 moneyline. This comes as no surprise considering their impressive performance throughout the tournament.
In fact, Team USA has won all five of their Olympic games by an average of 18.6 points. Their last Olympic loss dates back to 1992, making it an undefeated streak that spans almost three decades. The American women’s basketball team has been a dominant force, and if you’re 31 years old or younger, you’ve never witnessed them lose an Olympic game.
“It’s gold or bust,” exclaimed Breanna Stewart, who delivered an outstanding performance in the semifinal game with 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The determination and drive within the team are palpable as they aim to secure their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Interestingly, both the men’s and women’s basketball gold medal games will feature a USA versus France matchup. The women’s gold medal game will be the final event of the Paris Olympics, scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET, preceding the Closing Ceremony.
In their semifinal game against Australia, Team USA showcased their dominance on both ends of the court. They shot an impressive 50 percent from the field, compared to Australia’s 36.2 percent. Although they didn’t attempt many three-pointers, they made them count, shooting 7-of-17, while Australia struggled with a 7-of-29 performance. Team USA’s defense was electrifying, with 46 rebounds, 10 steals, and five blocks. Their flawless transitions from defense to offense added to their commanding victory.
As the tournament progressed, Team USA has only improved. Their chemistry and rhythm have developed, as they’ve adapted to different lineups. The starting five in the semifinal, particularly the Las Vegas Aces core of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray, displayed seamless teamwork. Kelsey Plum also made significant contributions off the bench.
Facing Team USA is no easy task, and France knows they have a challenging battle ahead. In their semifinal against Belgium, France displayed their competitiveness, with both teams constantly trading leads. Some key players to watch on Team France include Gabby Williams, Valériane Ayayi, Marine Johannès, and Iliana Rupert, all of whom have experience in the WNBA.
Ayayi, Williams, and Rupert have proven to be scoring threats, all reaching double digits in the semifinal game. Additionally, Rupert, Marième Badiane, and Janelle Salaün showcased their aggressiveness on the boards. The French team has also demonstrated their ability to generate steals and force turnovers.
However, facing Team USA is an entirely different challenge. France struggled to defeat Belgium, a team that Team USA comfortably defeated earlier in the tournament with an 87-74 victory. Nevertheless, if France can maintain the same level of tenacity they displayed in the semifinal, along with the support of a home crowd, we could witness an exciting matchup to conclude the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The stage is set for an epic showdown between Team USA and France in the women’s basketball gold medal game. Will Team USA continue their reign as the undisputed champions, or will France rise to the occasion and create an upset? The world will be watching as the teams battle it out for Olympic glory.