France is on the brink of an unprecedented basketball double as both the men’s and women’s teams have secured their places in the gold medal matches at the Paris Olympics. The host nation’s women booked their spot with a dramatic overtime victory over Belgium, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash with the United States.
The French women’s team, buoyed by the fervent support of the home crowd, staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Belgium 81-75 in overtime. Gabby Williams was the hero for the hosts, leading the team with 18 points.
Two countries, two gold medals 🥇
USA 🇺🇸 and France 🇫🇷 will be battling for gold in both Men's and Women's #Basketball Finals in #Paris2024! pic.twitter.com/6YCKp1YufE
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 9, 2024
“We deserved this win,” Williams said. “It was a tough game, as expected in a semi-final. We’re excited to play in the final and face the United States.”
The victory sets up a dream doubleheader of basketball finals, with the French men facing the United States on Saturday before the women’s gold medal match on Sunday. Both games will be held at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
The French men qualified for the final with a thrilling victory over Germany, setting up a rematch of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medal game, which the United States won.
The United States women’s team cruised into the final with a dominant 85-64 victory over Australia. Alyssa Thomas led the Americans with 16 points as they extended their unbeaten streak to 60 games.
Australia, despite their defeat, have been a formidable opponent for the United States over the years. The Opals have lost to the Americans in the final of three consecutive Olympics (2000, 2004, and 2008) and have been consistently challenged by their rivals.
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The stage is set for a weekend of high-stakes basketball as France seeks to defy the odds and claim two Olympic gold medals on home soil. The United States, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their dominance in the sport.
The world will be watching as these two basketball powerhouses collide in what promises to be unforgettable showdowns.
