Paris. The United States extended its impressive streak of consecutive gold medals in women’s basketball at the Olympic Games to eight by defeating France in a thrilling finale 67-66 on Sunday at the Bercy Arena, in the final finale of the competition in Paris 2024.

France pushed the U.S. team to the limit, and the team survived to extend its impressive Olympic winning streak to 61 victories.

Their last Olympic defeat (79-73) was against the CEI, a selection of athletes from the countries that formed the USSR, 32 years ago, in Barcelona 1992.

USA basketball legend Diana Taurasi has won six gold medals in six Games. She did not play a single minute in her Olympic farewell at the age of 42.

France had it in their hands, but they couldn’t finish off the champion, who survived with the skill and grit of an A’ja Wilson who had 21 points and 13 rebounds. Kelsey Plum, with a pair of triples in the hot moments and two key free throws in the last minute, put the finishing touch to the host.

In the match for third place, Australia deprived Belgium of its first ever Olympic medal in basketball by taking bronze (85-78).

Defensive display

The closing match of the Games pitted the biggest empire in team sports against a host spurred on by the 15,000 spectators at the Bercy Arena, who had the added incentive of putting the icing on the cake of a spectacular Olympic event.

Strained in its first attacks, but tough and united in defense, France shook off its nerves and found the basket.

Marine Fauthoux, with an incredible triple from almost midfield at the end of a possession, lifted the crowd, who began to believe in the miracle.

The players led by Jean Aime Toupane were able to contain the American offensive flow, taking a hopeful 25-25 tie at half-time.

As in the men’s final, French President Emmanuel Macron was watching the match from the stands. On the sidelines were LeBron James with his daughter and in the background Victor Wembanyama, who had been the protagonists just 15 hours earlier on the same court, in the US victory over France in the men’s category.

The game was moving with very low shooting percentages, with Team USA starting the second half without having scored a three-pointer and with their great specialist Sabrina Ionescu without minutes.

France came out all guns blazing after the break, with a 10-0 run against a US team that was unable to get in front of the basket, suffocated by the home team’s spider web. It took them more than three minutes to find the basket in the second half.

Williams, the last shot

Finally, Team WNBA woke up with Ionescu on the court giving clarity to the attacks.

The final quarter was an exchange of blows in which the United States kept its cool and France was unable to manage some attacks.

Their leader, French-American Gabby Williams, had 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals. On the last play she shot to tie the game at the buzzer and send the game into overtime, but she stepped on the three-point line and France was one point behind.

Local desolation and the Stars and Stripes back on track. The empire had survived.