Gold, silver or bronze: the French 3x3 basketball players are one victory away from securing an Olympic medal at the Tokyo Games, where they will face the United States in the semi-finals on Wednesday, after having snatched their qualification in the forceps Tuesday night against Japan (16-14). Medalists. Such was the status of the Blue before the start of the competition, having regard to their first place in the world ranking established by the International Federation (Fiba). However, the start of the group stage, with three defeats in four matches, hardly gave any indication of such a fate. But the France team never panicked, chained three straight wins to rank fifth and afford the right to find the Japanese, who had mistreated them two days earlier (19-15).A rise in power that was confirmed in this intense quarter-final, played at the Aomi Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, even if the success obtained was a very, very great struggle.
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In the wake of the excellent start of Laetitia Guapo (4 pts), the Blue actually led the whole meeting, culminating their lead to seven points (12-5). Problem: they also had a lot of fouls committed, six at the break. Very good. However, in the 7th, the penalty is two free throws awarded to the opponent. Urged not to fall into the penalty by their coaches at the edge of the field, they were disciplined, but at the cost of some spaces left to the Japanese very happy to take advantage of it, in particular Mio Shinozaki (7 pts). Fortunately for the Blue, Migna Touré (4 pts) was able to respond by making crucial baskets, in particular one behind the arc which brought oxygen. But at 1'10 '' from the end, the 7th fault happened,which allowed the Japanese to pick up at 15-13, then 15-14 in stride on a basket in the game.
The last 70 seconds were stifling. But France held its advantage and even benefited in turn from a free throw, transformed by Marie-Ève Paget (5 pts). As for the unfortunate Stephanie Mawuli (5 pts), she missed the equalizer for Japan with five seconds remaining. The French women are therefore in contention for the Olympic podium. They who are already among the pioneers, for the great beginnings of their discipline at the Olympic Games, remain above all gold diggers. To reach this Eldorado, it will be necessary to rule out Team USA, which had dominated them in the opening match on Saturday (17-10). And then face China or Russia in the final. Otherwise it will be the quest for bronze, facing the loser of this other semi-final.
