Before the Paris Olympics began, Group C in the women’s 5×5 basketball competition didn’t seem very compelling, but that’s why we play the games. We’ve had some surprisingly competitive games, and a few countries have been impressive.
Still, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
Belgium pushed Team USA, staying in the game for most of the contest before the Americans ended things in the fourth and won 87-74. Germany continues outperforming its FIBA ranking, beating Japan 75-64 and remaining undefeated in Paris. Team USA and Germany have now officially clinched spots in the quarterfinals, entering the final games of the group stage.
Team USA, human after all?
Yes, they’ve won 57 games in a row and haven’t lost an Olympic game since 1992. However, two games in, Team USA has looked… human? They are still the favorites to win the gold and still dominant, but they are no longer an infinitely tall mountain no one can climb.
Belgium, which shares a border with France, had what sounded like a home crowd in Paris. The energy was palpable and expanded beyond the stadium to my Southern California home. A crowd can help, but it can only take you so far. You have to play well for the crowd to matter, and Belgium held up their end of the bargain. Emma Meesseman, a former WNBA Finals MVP who fans are well aware of, put on a show, scoring 24 points on 11-for-19 shooting. Midway through the second half, Team USA was leading, but it was still a two-possession game.
While the red, white and blue didn’t look invincible, they were still unbeatable. Breanna Stewart was electric with 26 points, and A’ja Wilson had a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. With Team USA up by double digits in waning seconds, Sabrina Ionescu, reminded by the American sideline of the potential importance of point differential, put an exclamation point on the win by nailing a 3-pointer and literally telling the crowd to be quiet. The moment looked eerily similar to when Kobe Bryant made the same gesture at the 2008 Olympics in London.
Satou Sabally is good at basketball
She has missed the entire WNBA season due to injury, but Satou Sabally is back and playing for Germany at the Olympics. She’s even better than you remember and the Germans are relying on her to take them as far as she can. So far, that’s resulted in two wins and a 33-point performance on Thursday.
Japan had no answer for Sabally, but then again, no one really does. Seeing how far the Germans will go in this tournament will be interesting, as they could upset quite a few teams if Sabally keeps this current form up.
What to watch on Sunday
Germany will face the ultimate test versus Team USA at 11:15 a.m. ET (USA Network) on Sunday. Sabally is very familiar with the Americans, and even though they haven’t looked like juggernauts, they have a roster you don’t want to see fully engaged. It will be interesting to see how competitive a game Germany can make this one.
The two winless teams, Japan and Belgium, are still in contention. However, someone will have to win by a large margin to jump up and land a top-eight spot. I doubt it happens, but if it does, my money is on Belgium being the country that gets it done. Japan and Belgium will play each other at 5 a.m. ET (Peacock) on Sunday.
Game information
Japan vs. Belgium
When: Sunday, August 4 at 5:00 a.m. ET
Where: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
How to watch: Peacock
USA vs. Germany
When: Sunday, August 4 at 11:15 a.m. ET
Where: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
How to watch: USA Network
