By Steve Keating
PARIS (Reuters) – Nigeria advancing out of the group stage of the Paris Olympics women’s basketball tournament was a surprise. A quarter-final win over the United States on Wednesday would qualify as an Olympic miracle.
D’Tigress have already made history in Paris, becoming the first African team – men’s or women’s – to reach the last eight in Olympic basketball. Bringing an end to the United States’ 58-match winning streak and run of seven consecutive gold medals would be a contender for biggest upset in sporting history.
“You can do hard things,” said Nigerian guard Amy Okonkwo. “You can do anything that you set your mind to. It doesn’t matter where you’re born or where you come from.
“You can do it.”
Nigeria may bring buckets of enthusiasm and belief to the Bercy arena on Wednesday but will need much more to turn the tide on the mighty Americans, who have won all five previous meetings including their most recent, a 100-46 thrashing in an Olympic qualifying event in February.
Led by Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, who are averaging 20.3 points a game, the U.S. tops the tournament in scoring and rebounds, but its three-point shooting and intensity have been less than spectacular.
Still, the Americans have depth that no other team can come close to matching and experience led by Diana Taurasi, who is chasing a sixth Olympic gold medal.
“We’re not the USA, the dynasty, without it,” said U.S. coach Chery Reeve. “I think it’s what defines the dynasty, the depth of talent that the USA has.”
Nigeria look to Ezinne Kalu, who is averaging 19.3 points per game, for scoring. But the side’s success is built around an aggressive team defence that leads the tournament in steals.
The other quarter-final matchups will see host France taking on Germany, Serbia facing Australia and Spain against Belgium.
With the action relocating from Lille, where group matches were held, to the big stage in Paris, the French women will be counting on a tubo-charged boost from the home crowd to propel them back onto the Olympic podium after taking bronze in Tokyo.
But Germany have impressed in their Olympic debut and are keen to continue their run at French expense.
Spain finished group play unbeaten, but two of their victories were nail-biting one point decisions over China and Puerto Rico. They now face a Belgium squad led by the Olympic tournament’s leading scorer Emma Meesseman, who is average 26.3 ppg.
Australia looked in danger of an early exit after dropping their group opener to Nigeria, but rebounded with wins over Canada and France and carry that momentum into their clash with Serbia, which is bidding to reach the final four for the third consecutive Games.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Paris; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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