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EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE MENS' SEMIFINALS IN THE BASKETBALL 3X3 EVENTS AT OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024
By Matt Nelsen Published: August 5, 2024
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The excitement of basketball took the center stage as 3x3 basketball showcased its dynamic action with a flurry of group-stage and play-in games that determined which teams would advance to the thrilling semi-finals.
In an unexpected turn of events, it was the Netherlands team who made headlines by defeating Team USA in their group stage match-up. This spectacular win sent Team USA home early with a decisive scoreline of 21-6, marking a significant upset in the tournament.
The Latvian squad also solidified their dominance as a top conter when they swept Poland off their feet with a commanding victory of 22-16. They sled through seven games without defeat, securing their spot in the semi-finals and setting themselves up for an impressive run in Paris.
Poland's path to the semi-finals wasn't strghtforward; instead, they were given a second chance by a play-in game agnst Lithuania. However, it was Lithuania who emerged victorious under the spotlight with a narrow margin of 21-15, leaving Poland to face elimination at this stage.
The most captivating match on August 4th took place between France and Serbia in what was termed 'Game of the Day'. This pivotal battle saw France come out as champions by a sler score of 22-19.
French fans were elated when Jules Rambaut sparked off their enthusiasm with his first points through free throws, followed closely by two-point shots. Their team's resilience was evident in their dominant performance.
Strahinja Stojacic from Serbia, an imposing figure on the court, scored 8 points largely due to three impressive dunks and a total of three made baskets. Despite Serbia's valiant efforts agnst France's powerful offense, it wasn't enough to secure victory.
Timothe Vergiat's decisive two-point shot was pivotal in securing France's semi-final spot with his final score of the match being an impressive 22 points out of total team points.
Reflecting on his performance, Vergiat sd, I've made shots like this in important matches for our team many times before so I have confidence. When I took that shot, I was sure it would go in by 100.
The day saw standout performances from Worthy de Jong of the Netherlands and Nauris Miezis of Latvia. De Jong racked up an impressive tally with 11 points thanks to a mix of five one-point shots, two free throws and pred two-point baskets, making his efficiency in shots remarkable at a rate of 0.92.
Miezis was Latvia's top scorer agnst Poland, accumulating 8 points through three successful baskets including some crucial two-pointers and the only made three-pointer that night.
The tournament is set to accelerate into more intense moments as we look ahead to the upcoming matches:
Schedule for August 5
17:30: Women's Semi-final - Spn vs United States
18:00: Men's Semi-final - Netherlands vs Lithuania
18:30: Women's Semi-final - Germany vs Canada
19:00: Men's Semi-final - Latvia vs France
21:00: Women's Bronze Medal Match - yet to be determined
21:30: Men's Bronze Medal Match - yet to be determined
22:00: Women's Gold Medal Match - yet to be determined
22:30: Men's Gold Medal Match - yet to be determined
Stay tuned for the next round of games that will determine who will step onto the podium as champions in basketball's thrilling 3x3 events.
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Paris 2024 Basketball 3x3 Highlights Netherlands Upsets USA in Tournament Latvia Dominates with Unbeaten Run France vs Serbia Key Semi final Match Lithuania Qualifies for Play in Games Mens Semi finals Schedule Overview