Five things to know before final day of 3×3 at Paris Olympics
PARIS (France) – The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived with players from eight teams dreaming of finishing day seven with gold medals hanging around their necks at the Paris Olympics.
But first there are four huge semi-finals in the men’s and women’s brackets to get through before the gold medal deciders take centre stage at La Concorde.
Let’s look at the main things you need to know.
Canada and Germany are red-hot teams on a collision course
Germany and Canada gained a direct route to the semis – deservedly so after exceptional performances so far. They are both in blistering form, but only one of the teams will win gold because Germany and Canada square off in a blockbuster semi.
There was an unknown over the Germans heading into the tournament given their mixed record at major events, but they’ve shown no nerves on their Olympic debut.
Germany dropped just one pool game and their dominance has even surprised themselves with the humble German players living a dream right now.
Their confidence is soaring even though superstar Sonja Greinacher is battling a hand injury.
She’s still been putting up big numbers, averaging a team high 5.7 ppg, but has had plenty of help with veterans Marie Reichert and Svenja Brunckhorst hitting clutch buckets, while 20-year-old Elisa Mevius has sparked the team through her infectious energy and high skill level.
Mevius starred in Germany’s 19-15 pool victory over Canada, who compiled a 4-3 record before an outrageous performance in the play-in blew apart a highly-rated Australia.
Canada, of course, are led by the Plouffe sisters who combined for 13 ppg in the pool stage but they are almost unbeatable when sharpshooters Paige Crozon and Kacie Bosch heat up.
They combined for four two-pointers against Australia and if Canada can unleash their four-headed monster then they’ll be confident of taking down Germany.
The battle of the paint will also be vital with Germany’s length having caused headaches for opponents, but the towering Plouffe sisters can negate that advantage.
The teams are evenly matched and a thriller looms.
USA look to continue momentum against Spain
The unthinkable was unfolding for star-studded USA, who lost their first three games and appeared completely out of sync having never played together before.
But after five straight wins, they are timing their run to perfection and peaking at the business end ahead of a semi-final clash against Spain.
WNBA All-Stars Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard have found their footing, unlocking this USA team that suddenly has a strong chance of defending their gold medal.
The chemistry has really improved marked by pinpoint passing and perfectly executed cuts to the basket as USA mould into the high-octane team expected of them.
But USA will be tested against Spain, who with trademark guts and determination qualified directly to the semis.
Legendary Sandra Ygueravide continues to inspire Spain, with sidekick Vega Gimeno a reliable scoring option with her dynamic inside-outside game. Spain will need to be at their best having lost to the USA 17-11 earlier in the tournament.
The smaller Spaniards struggled to score against the tall and athletic Americans, but they will continue to rely on speed and shooting to cause what will be considered an upset.
France’s amazing crowd loom as the x-factor
Latvia deserve to be favorite in the semis against France. They have not lost a game and superstars Nauris Miezis and Karlis Lasmanis – gold medalists in Tokyo – have never looked better as a duo.
But Latvia’s bid to defend their gold medal will face a major examination amid a sea of French fans baying for blood. With France women’s team knocked out early, the host nation has gotten right behind the men’s who are feeding off the energy.
France were electric against powerhouse Serbia in the play-in and produced arguably their greatest ever victory when Timothe Vergiat hit a two-point shot for the ages.
Les Bleus had a sensational day six to erase a four-game losing streak that threatened to cut short their Olympic dreams. They will have to be at their absolute best to beat Latvia, but something special is brewing in the air at La Concorde.
An epic semi-final awaits.
Lithuania and Netherlands clash in contrast of styles
Lithuania has long been underrated. A no fuss team who have perhaps the most underappreciated superstar in Aurelijus Pukelis – a towering bucket getter who is Mr Consistent.
Lithuania have flown under the radar until day six when they stunned bogey team Serbia, who they had never beaten in international play. They they beat Poland to set up a match up with the high-flying, highlight reel Dutchman in a clash of styles.
Netherlands are clicking and loaded with offensive firepower. Worthy de Jong has seemingly returned to 100% fitness after battling an ankle injury. But he’s not just a one-man show with Dimeo van der Horst a veteran scoring machine, while sniper Arvin Slagter has heated up.
But they’ll have to be on their game against Lithuania, who are efficient and don’t make many mistakes. The teams played a tight game in the pool phase with Netherlands just getting on top 19-18.
Another classic semi-final is in store in what shapes as an intriguing contest.
Gold medals await
For two lucky teams, gold medals will proudly dangle around the necks of eight men’s and women’s players. Players have been dreaming of gold for the last three years and there has been so much hard work and sacrifice to get to this moment.
By the end of day seven, new heroes will emerge and they will forever be part of Olympic lore as 3×3’s second appearance at the world’s biggest sports event goes into the history books.
FIBA
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