Men’s Event
Canada, Germany and United States went through the group stages undefeated. United States needed an inspired Kevin Durant performance to overcome Serbia. Canada found their toughest test against Australia and Germany relative cruised through. Spain went out as everyone in group A would take a win. Germany would beat Greece after pulling away in the second half. Serbia were led by an incredible overtime by Nikola Jokic against Australia. France would switch the lineup for the quarter-final and would upset Canada 82-73 whilst United States cruised through. In the semi-finals, Germany were up 28-18 early but France were able to fight back and win 73-68. Serbia would lead by 13 with ten minutes to go but fired by a Steph Curry 36 and a LeBron James triple-double, United States got the 95-91 win in the highest scoring Olympic game in history. Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double in the bronze medal matchup to beat Germany. Curry would score 24, including four three pointers in the final three minutes to pull away from the French resistance, led by Victor Wembanyama’s 26.
🥇United States 🇺🇸
🥈France 🇫🇷
🥉Serbia 🇷🇸
I think for most people this came down to the three countries who medalled, Canada and Germany. The draw was always going to have a big impact.
Women’s Event
United States would dominate their group, coming through undefeated. Spain also won their group undefeated, despite a points difference of just ten. Group B saw three teams win two games, led by France from Australia and Nigeria. Australia would beat Serbia 85-67. Belgium upset Spain with some sharp-shooting. France and United States would also make the semi-final. United States beat Australia 85-64. The other semi-final would go to overtime, France having overcome a first-half deficit before taking the win. Australia were behind heading into the final quarter of the bronze-medal matchup but would take an 85-81 win. In the final, France would lead by double digits in the third-quarter after a 10-0 run. With 92 seconds left France were a point down. A Gabby Williams basket at the buzzer on the wrong side of the three-point line would consign France to a one point loss.
🥇United States 🇺🇸
🥈France 🇫🇷
🥉Australia 🇦🇺
China were nowhere near as good as I expected. I gave France a boost due to the home advantage but potentially not enough.
Men’s 3x3
Latvia came through the pool stage unbeaten. United States would go out, with just two wins by virtue of head-to-head record with Poland. France beat Serbia in the play-in bout with Lithuania beating Poland. The Netherlands would dominate Lithuania in the first semi-final. France would score 10 of 14 points to beat Latvia in the second semi-final. It was a dramatic gold-medal matchup. France would lead in overtime by ten seconds only for Worthy De Jong to nail a three-pointer, to win Netherlands gold. Lativa were up 17-16 in the bronze-medal matchup but lost 21-18.
🥇Netherlands 🇳🇱
🥈France 🇫🇷
🥉Lithuania 🇱🇹
It felt like Latvia were stronger than the overall result will state. Netherlands did not really enter my calculations. I did mention France as contenders at home.
Women’s 3x3
United States would lose their first three games in the pool stage but rebound to win their next four. Germany led the way with six wins with the next four teams tied on four wins, led by Spain. Canada and United States would win play-in games against Australia and China respectively to make the semi finals. Spain would take the first semi final in overtime after a 16-16 tie. It was a tie in Germany vs Canada with a minute to go only for Greinacher to score a buzzer beater. Canada went 9-8 up with four minutes to go in the bronze-medal matchup, only for United States to win 16-13. Spain would lead Germany 15-13 with 1.52 to go in the final but Germany would launch a come back to win 17-16.
🥇Germany 🇩🇪
🥈Spain 🇪🇸
🥉United States 🇺🇸
Germany and Spain were basically teams I overlooked.
Comments