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On Sunday, the Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball will be at stake at Paris’ Bercy Arena, as well as the USA’s chance to continue its international dominance when it faces host nation France in the final.
Breanna Stewart and A’Ja Wilson were strong and leading scorers for an American team that easily made it through the tournament.
France has earned victories, including an extra-time semi-final victory over Belgium, and lost a group match to potential bronze medallists Australia.
Can the home country do what no one has done since the 1992 semifinals and defeat the mighty United States on the Olympic stage?
The answer awaits in the tournament final. In this preview you will find out when and where you can watch the highly anticipated final.
Streaming: Peacock and NBCOlympics.com
Can France realistically slow down the USA?
Les Bleus fought their way to the final thanks to the strong play of Gabby Williams, Iliana Rupert and Valeriane Ayayi.
This trio ensures that the team scores goals, but they are not the only resource in the French squad. The team has good reserve players, as shown by the 29 points in the win against Belgium.
Cheered on by their compatriots in the stands and in the final for the first time since 2012, the team can put the finishing touches to these Olympic Games by pulling off perhaps the biggest upset of the entire two-week spectacle and taking home the last gold medal awarded.
If the United States is sloppy and mishandles the ball, the answer is a resounding “yes!”
Les Bleus have made it a habit to capitalise on lost possessions and have scored 23.4 points from winning possessions.
As demonstrated against Belgium, the team is capable of playing hard and physical in a style that few could muster against the Americans.
But even the strongest teams were ultimately defeated by the courage, determination and skill of the Americans.
Any path to victory for France involves taking Wilson or Stewart out of the game and forcing another player to beat them. The problem is that the Americans also have depth: Brittney Griner, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Lloyd, Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu and Jackie Young are all capable of taking over a game and winning it for their team.
As courageous as France’s victory was on Friday, and despite the huge support they will receive from fans in the stands on Sunday, this is a game the Americans can either win or lose, and the latter hasn’t happened since most of the team was even born.
Add to that Diana Taurasi’s determination to win her sixth gold medal, making her the most decorated Olympian in women’s basketball of all time, and we have a team that will be very difficult to beat.
