The USA Women’s Basketball team got more than they bargained for in the final match against hosts, France, and claimed victory at the end of a hard-fought contest to win a historic eighth straight gold medal.
Overwhelming favourites heading into the Games and undefeated in the 61 Olympic games leading to this final, the US team was made to sweat and fight before winning 67-66 against a resilient France team.
Almost like the men’s team that came out tops in a keenly contested men’s basketball final against France, the women’s team struggled even more to put away their rivals – even losing 35-25 early in the third quarter.
The USA only avoided overtime at the end. With the score 67-64 in the American team’s favour, France’s Gabby Williams’ shot from a cross-court pass from Marine Johannes in the closing seconds of the match was registered as a two-point shot because her foot just strayed into two-point range.
One of France’s strategies was to make many attempts from the three-point range but made just seven out of 36 attempted shots from outside the perimeter.
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson was the American hero in this final after posting a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, four blocks and one steal to earn her second Olympic gold medal.
She was named the event’s MVP for her efforts and given a place in the All-Star Team of the Tournament.
Veteran Diana Taurasi secured her sixth Olympic gold medal, the most by an individual in any team sport. Also, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young became the first players to win Olympic gold medals in 3×3 and 5×5 basketball.
Finally, Team USA is now unbeaten in 62 consecutive Olympic Games matches. The team also has a record of one loss in the last seven Women’s World Cup editions which came in the semi-final of the 2006 edition against Russia.