There was a slight hesitation before the match, as Sandrine Gruda, not selected by Jean-Aimé Toupane for this Olympic campaign, came to strike the three shots before the match, in an Arena Bercy well-stocked with Belgian fans. So there were people to sing La Brabançonne, as well as to sing La Marseillaise in the aftermath.
Valériane Ayayi is in charge of Emma Meesseman and Belgium systematically attacks the duel. Jean-Aimé Toupane quickly changes his tune while Janelle Salaün finally gets the Blues going. Marine Johannès signs her entry… with an airball but Iliana Rupert is more effective. Except that Belgium, with its leader on the bench, makes the first gap. Marine Johannès is already annoyed and the Belgian Cats are ahead (14-17) after 10 minutes.
A 19-1 for the Blues
Marine Johannès finally scores a 3-pointer and the offensive rebounds also help the French team. But it's when the French team steals balls that they can really make a difference.
Julie Vanloo and her teammates are suffering the defensive impact of France… which is down to 19-1!
Les Bleues take advantage of Belgium's aggressive defense on the pick-and-roll to find gaps and take up to 11 points ahead (29-18). Except that the “Belgian Cats” close ranks and in turn make a series, provoking French fouls, like a Gabby Williams who quickly has three fouls.
At half-time, after another airball from Marine Johannès, France was trailing by five points (31-36).
A playoff match
Leïla Lacan and Sarah Michel Boury join the five to start the second half but Belgium starts with a 5-0 (31-41) and Jean-Aimé Toupane calls a time-out after 70 seconds of play…
Julie Vanloo makes a “Johannesque” 3-pointer and things are going badly for the Blues, who are starting to panic. On the other hand, everything is going well for Belgium, even if Gabby Williams stops the bleeding. Fortunately, Iliana Rupert makes a 3-pointer to reduce the gap to ten points (36-46) because things were starting to become very, very worrying.
And in this series match, France comes back into the game, even if Emma Meesseman revives her team from afar (41-49). The Arena Bercy tries to ignite and does so following a 3-pointer from Janelle Salaün (46-51). Thanks to new interceptions, the Blues get back to just one possession (48-51) at the start of the last quarter.
France continues to get closer and then takes the lead on free throws (52-51)! Les Bleues recover all the rebounds to compensate for their clumsiness. Valériane Ayayi saves a possession at the buzzer and the Arena Bercy can really explode, while Rachid Meziane gets more and more annoyed with the referees.
Emma Meesseman snatches extension
Marine Johannès converts the throw of the technical foul of the Belgian coach while many “Belgian Cats” are already at four fouls. But it is Marième Badiane who comes out first for five fouls.
Iliana Rupert does a great job to take the position and give the Blues some breathing room (62-58) but Belgium does not give up. With 1 minute 25 left in the match, France only leads by four points (64-60). It's tense…
Marine Fauthoux causes Emma Meesseman to foul, Belgium being in the penalty box. The leader ensures the free throws and it smells good (66-60) for France. But Julie Vanloo gets the 3-point foul and converts her three free throws. And France loses the ball on the next attack. Then Emma Meesseman equalizes from afar!
There are 8.2 seconds left to play, the ball goes to the Bleues at 66-66. The last system is for Valériane Ayayi, but her 3-pointer does not go in, and the offensive rebound from Iliana Rupert is too late. Overtime…
Gabby Williams, queen of overtime
Gabby Williams scores the first points of overtime with a foul by Kyara Linskens, who comes out for five fouls. Gabby Williams returns and France takes a five-point lead (71-66). With both teams in the penalty box, there are a lot of free throws but Iliana Rupert scores an ultra-precious 3-pointer. Except that Antonia Delaere responds again. The Belgian Cats refuse to give up and the Blues cannot kill the game.
Emma Meesseman takes advantage of the defensive changes but Gabby Williams slips towards the circle again (78-75). Julie Vanloo sends a nasty airball from afar and Gabby Williams ensures the free throws (80-75). The Blues steal one last ball and take their revenge on Belgium (81-75). Like the Blues, they are in the final of the Olympic Games. Like the Blues, it will be against the United States. See you Sunday, at 3:30 p.m.!
