PARIS — A thunderous French crowd at Bercy Arena made sure that the U.S. women’s basketball team‘s final stride to an eighth consecutive gold medal would not be an easy one. The host team owned a double-digit lead in the second half, but the U. S. clawed back and grinded out a 67-66 victory over France on Sunday.
In a thrilling finish with one of sports’ all-time great upsets on the line, France’s Gabby Williams slid over the 3-point arc and her potential game-tying shot at the buzzer was reduced to two.
“No matter if it’s a good win or an ugly win, we just want to win,” U.S. forward Breanna Stewart said.
Team USA was scoring nearly 90 points per game in the Olympics and had not lost since the 1992 semifinals, but France was unintimidated. It rattled the U.S., forcing 19 turnovers, each electrifying the crowd more and more. It was the Americans’ 10th total gold medal since the sport debuted in 1976.
“Credit to France, that was not an easy game,” U.S. guard Kelsey Plum said. “There is something about this team and the people who are on it — we just always respond. We came out with a win, and that is all that matters. This year has been absolutely brutal on me, and the fact that I am actually playing basketball right now is big.”
Inside the game
French guard Marine Fauthoux tied the game at 23-23 with a 3-pointer, before forward Janelle Salaün gave France the lead with one minute to play in the first half. U.S. forward Napheesa Collier tipped in the ball at the buzzer to equalize at 25-25 at halftime.
France scored the first 10 points of the second half. You could visibly see the frustration on the Americans’ faces in the timeout huddle. Plum responded with two massive 3-pointers to cut the lead from double figures to two. Collier put the U.S. in front, 41-40, with a layup. Just when you thought the American lead would hold, French guard Marine Johannes tied it with a 3-pointer.
The game continued to go back and forth. Then, France missed two chances to tie in the final minute, and the USA seemed to ice it from the line. Williams drained a 3-pointer with four seconds to cut it to one. American guard Kahleah Copper made her free throws, before Williams’ final play.
While the audience roared with the hope of overtime, the American bench rejoiced. The announcement quickly came that they were champions, contradicted a review. French players wept on their side of the court. In a touching moment, Diana Taurasi met Williams at center court for an embrace.
Taurasi, 42, passed her longtime teammate Sue Bird with her sixth Olympic championship. The only bad news for Taurasi is that Germany won the team dressage competition in Paris, giving Isabell Werth her seventh gold in one event to extend her record. She did not see any action in the gold medal game on Sunday.
“I think it was a freak accident to be here,” Taurasi said. “I’m very lucky. To beat the home team at home carries the best satisfaction.”
A’ja Wilson, who scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the gold medal game, was named the MVP of the Olympics. She averaged 18.7 and 10.2 for the six-game event.
Seven players from Team USA’s Tokyo Olympics roster added another gold medal to their resumes. In addition to Taurasi, veterans Stewart and Brittney Griner won their third gold medals, while Jewell Loyd, Wilson, Collier and Chelsea Gray won their second. Plum and Jackie Young won 3×3 gold in Tokyo.
“It feels great,” Young told The Next. “It’s something we worked really hard for. We didn’t have a lot of time, but we came together at the right time to get the job done. Winning (the 3×3 gold medal in 2021) was amazing in the first year they had it. But, being able to play 5×5, that is the ultimate goal and the standard. To be a part of this, it’s special.”
