The United States, which kicked off Tokyo-2020 with its 50th consecutive victory at the Olympics, will try to extend the streak on Friday against host Japan, which debuted in the women’s basketball tournament with a surprising victory over France.
Great candidate for its seventh consecutive gold, the ‘USA Team’, which in its debut had to sweat to beat Nigeria (81-72), will continue its journey against Japan in a duel for the first place in the B key.
The local team submitted the European runner-up (74-70) thanks to their greater aggressiveness. Now he will have an almost impossible task against a team of WNBA figures.
Against Nigeria Sue Bird, 40 years old and standard-bearer of the US delegation, and Diana Taurasi, 39, started their fifth Games contributing. The first left at 13 assists, although he was unable to score and the second finished with ten points.
France, who lost the European final to Serbia weeks before the Games, did not start well in their conquest of an Olympic podium, after being silver in London-2012 and fourth in Rio-2016.
“Being angry and disappointed is part of the process. It is worth to move on to something else. We know the games that await us and we must be prepared,” said French center Sandrine Gruda.
In Group C, China and Belgium, who won their first matches, face Australia and Puerto Rico, respectively, who started in defeat.
The first two selections of each of the three keys go to quarters, along with the two best thirds.
– Friday program:
– B Group
Francia – Nigeria (08h20 GMT)
United States – Japan (04h40 GMT)
Classification: Pts JGP pf pc diff
1. United States 2 1 1 0 81 72 9
2. Japan 2 1 1 0 74 70 4
3. France 1 1 0 1 70 74 -4
4. Nigeria 1 1 0 1 72 81 -9
– Group C
China – Australia (12h00 GMT)
Belgium – Puerto Rico (01h00 GMT)
Classification: Pts JGP pf pc diff
1. China 2 1 1 0 97 55 42
2. Belgium 2 1 1 0 85 70 15
3. Australia 1 1 0 1 70 85 -15
4. Puerto Rico 1 1 0 1 55 97 -42
pm/psr
