Five things we learned after day one of 3×3 at Paris Olympics
PARIS (France) – The 3×3 competition at the Paris Olympics started with a bang as thrillers, upsets and insane plays highlighted day one in front of packed bleachers at La Concorde .
Here are five things we learnt on a historic day which saw crowds for the first time at an Olympic 3×3 competition.
Germany mean business after stunning defending champs
Even though they’ve been formidable for some time, Germany came into the tournament slightly unfancied given their shaky record in major tournaments over the years.
And they faced a major test first up against defending champion and gold medal favorite USA. A nervous Germany couldn’t get going and appeared to be in for humiliation when they conceded the first five points.
But Germany composed themselves with young gun Elisa Mevius igniting the fuse before they lifted their defense to completely blanket USA’s normally potent offense.
A clutch two from Marie Reichert, not known for her long-range prowess, in the final minute effectively sealed one of Germany’s greatest ever wins. They soon embraced in a big group hug as Germany mean business.
Canada make early statement
Against their bogey team, having lost twice to Australia during the Olympic qualifying tournament in Utsunomiya, Canada were irresistible in a blockbuster women’s game on day one.
Canada clearly learned important lessons and the Plouffe sisters were extra motivated having been frustrated by Australia’s athletic defenders in Utsunomiya.
The towering twins were unstoppable early as Canada raced out of the blocks to leave Australia stunned. The Canadians at one stage led 15-2 in a lopsided score that required several double takes to believe it.
The never-say-die Australia did offer some fight, but Canada were always in cruise control with the Plouffe sisters combining for 18 points and 8 rebounds.
It was an early statement from a gold medal contender.
Lili Wang was born for the Olympic stage
Chinese superstar Lili Wang was having a quiet performance against France and she did not score in the 10 minutes of regulation.
But Wang has a knack of coming up big when it matters most and she pulled out the dagger at the biggest moment with a banked two to lift China to an OT victory.
Her buzzer beater did the impossible and silenced the rowdy French faithful who had been willing on their heroes. It was the latest chapter in a remarkable comeback for Wang, who has only just recently returned from a serious knee injury.
And she’s back at the right time because former Asia Cup and Women’s Series MVP Wang relishes the big stage having been the equal-leading scorer at the Tokyo Olympics to lead China to bronze.
Wang looms as being even more of a threat with some of the offensive load taken by 24-year-old Mingling Chen, who tallied 10 points and 8 rebounds.
The atmosphere was off the charts especially when France men’s claimed the W
It’s been a long time coming. And it was certainly worth the wait! For the first time, there were crowds at a 3×3 Olympic competition after the fanless Tokyo Games made for a little bit of a hollow feeling.
It was everything and more with thousands of fans packing the bleachers that rose high into the sky at the historic La Concorde.
Each country had passionate fans hollering, but the terraces were fever pitch and festooned with tricolore flags when host nation France played in back-to-back games late at night.
The biggest party erupted in Paris when Lucas Dussoulier drilled the two-piece in a dagger that finally ended Poland’s resistance.
France had trailed for much of the game, but their players whipped the crowd into a frenzy and it worked a treat in surreal scenes that the 3×3 community has been waiting many years to experience.
Stojacic outduels Fredette as battle for the crown heats up
Strahinja Stojacic has been the undisputed best 3×3 player for the last couple of years. But former college phenom and long-time NBA player Fredette has been hot on his heels after a purple patch to start the season.
Their individual battle, as they fight for the 3×3 crown, almost transcended the blockbuster between Serbia and USA in the final game of a dramatic day one.
The early honors went to Fredette, who showed off his lethal shooting with a crazy step back two, but Stojacic woke up after a quiet start. He attacked the rim relentlessly, highlighted by a nasty dunk and the foul.
The half-court at La Concorde was ‘Doctor Strange’s’ multiverse as he dished prettily, particularly combining well with Marko Brankovic, and he finished off Serbia’s convincing 22-14 victory with a two-pointer.
Stojacic celebrated with gusto as the first round went his way after he tallied 7 points and 7 highlights compared to Fredette’s 4 points and 5 highlights.
But we fancy these superstars will square off again later in the tournament.
FIBA
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