From our special correspondent in Tokyo
To discover
The full Olympic program
The Olympic medal table
After the defeat against Japan (74-70), the France team found itself in an uncomfortable position: snatching its qualification for the quarter-finals against the formidable Americans, unbeaten in international competition since 2006, winners of the last six medals. gold at the Olympics.
In a multitude of cases, a defeat was not registered as crippling but it was necessary to apply to tie it in proportions (no more than 14 points, to hope to grab a place among the best 3rd).
Beaten 82-93 at the end of a solid match against the big favorites of the tournament, the Blue won the right to stay in Tokyo.
Eye to eye
Articulated around Britney Griner, the control tower, the Americans take the best start (9-2, 3rd) but in the wake of Gabby Williams (born in Nevada who plunged into the Olympic adventure of the Blue in the spring and brought tonicity and variety) the Blue signs a 7-0 which replaces them, revives them completely, frees them. Les Bleues play eye to eye, complete the first quarter in the lead, thanks to Endene Miyem (6 pts) and Ilina Rupert (7 pts; 2 rebounds). In the process, the players bravely play their luck, stand out (37-30, 13th). Breanna Stewart's address (14 pts) allows Team USA to keep control at half-time (44-50).
The solidity of Gabby Williams, the inspirations of Marine Johannes, the rediscovered efficiency of Sandrine Gruda (discreet in the first half) allow the Blue to stay in the wheel of the Americans (67-71 at the end of the 3rd quarter) . A long distance shot from Endene Miyem and a lay up from Valeriane Vukosavljevic launched the Bleues in the last act (72-74) but the efficiency of A'ja Wilson and Tina Charles left the France team at a distance (80-89 1'41 '' from the siren). And the suspense will stay on until the end (82-93 to 13 '' from the end of the meeting).
Vincent Collet's players won at the opening of the tournament (83-76) against Team USA, Valérie Garnier's players had at the end of a courageous match composted their sesame for the rest of the Olympic adventure. After a few cold sweats ...
