The Pierre-Mauroy stadium is (almost) full for this women's duel between the UNITED STATES and the Belgium. But above all it is entirely black, yellow and red, the fans of the “Belgian Cats” having made the short trip!
Enough to help Rachid Meziane's players get into the game better than they did against Germany. It must be said that after this first surprise defeat, Belgium is under pressure. They are therefore trying to play quickly and disrupt the American players, by multiplying the movements behind the defense.
Too many rebounds for the United States
And it works, especially since Julie Vanloo keeps scoring baskets! Team USA even falls behind for a moment (19-17) on the scoreboard. Fortunately for the United States, Breanna Stewart doesn't miss a thing in this first quarter (23-23).
The density of the United States is starting to have an effect, however, with Brittney Griner causing pain under the rim. The Belgians are trying to compensate with aggression, but they are being punished. The Americans are also grabbing too many rebounds (29 to 12 at halftime), with A'ja Wilson having a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) at the break.
Team USA is therefore ahead (46-38) after twenty minutes, but the “Belgian Cats” are hanging on as Emma Meesseman and Kyara Linskens impose a big duel on the American interiors.
The gap widens a little but Belgium fights and intercepts balls, pushed by a crowd that roars at the slightest opportunity. But Napheesa Collier finally finds the target and Rachid Meziane has to stop the game (58-47).
The impossible “run”
Emma Meesseman (20 points) does everything she can to keep her country alive, which can still believe in it at the start of the last ten minutes (60-53)…
Except that Belgium fails to produce the “run” that would allow it to get back into contact and really make the Americans tremble. Instead, the gap widens again and the Belgian bench gets annoyed with the referees. Antonia Delaere nevertheless scores two 3-pointers in quick succession that set the room alight again (68-61).
However, several interceptions cut the legs of the “Belgian Cats”, A'ja Wilson responding to Emma Meesseman's baskets to allow the United States to win (87-74). The referees return to the locker rooms to the boos of the Belgian public. The Americans are therefore still undefeated at the Olympics since 1992, while Belgium, which takes the time to have a “clapping” with its public, is in very great danger, with this second defeat.
