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Alexa PhilippouESPN
SYDNEY – Regardless of the final score, Team USA were sometimes not happy with the way they played in the 2022 FIBA World Cup quarter-finals as they secured a 33-point victory over a gritty Serbian side on Thursday .
But in Friday’s semi-finals, the Americans left no ambiguity about how strong they are looking in their quest to clinch a fourth straight World Cup championship. She defeated Canada 83-43 to advance to the gold medal game on Saturday at 2:00 am ET. They will face China, who beat Australia 61-59 in another semi-final, in a rematch of the group stage meeting that the United States won 14.
Top-ranked USA scored their first 15 points in Friday’s game and didn’t look back, holding Canada (the fourth-ranked team in the FIBA World Rankings) in the 7-point first quarter and 8-point third period . 22% shoot from the field.
The United States has now won 29 consecutive World Cup games, dating back to the 2006 bronze medal game. Team USA has only lost him one game in a major international competition (World Cup and Olympics) since 1994.
Team Canada, who qualified for their second World Cup semi-final since 1986, exceeded many expectations in this tournament, finishing 2nd in Group B after finishing 9th at the Tokyo Olympics, as the team part ways with their former coach. It’s decided.
The team enjoyed defensive success under Victor Lapeña, but the intensity was absent from the start against the United States.
On Friday, the United States became the first team to hold an opponent under 50 points in a World Cup semi-final, recording the largest margin of victory (40) in that round of the event.
“I think we weren’t satisfied with the start yesterday against Serbia,” said the World Cup MVP. Breanna Stewart Said. “There were moments when we played well, but there were also moments when we didn’t. We really made sure that was the key point today. That was how we started the game. Especially the starters, and I wanted to make sure that 5 set the tone for the whole game.”
Canada will face home side Australia for the bronze medal on Friday at 11pm.
The USA held Canada scoreless on their first nine shots, with the Canadian finally scoring one goal. Shakira AustinA free throw put the USA ahead 27-7 at the end of the first quarter, and when the starter was reinserted into the game midway through the second quarter, the USA took things into next gear, trailing at 45-21. We entered halftime.
The first 20 minutes were not perfect for Team USA. The team recorded his nine turnovers.
“I’m really happy with the attention our team paid to every detail in the scout report. The Canadian tournament was fantastic,” said USA National Team Coach Sheryl Reeve. “I wanted them to understand what they just did and how much Canada struggled to win the ball. And Canada are a very good defensive team, so it’s a quality win for us. Our goal is to win a gold medal, and we are in a position to do it.”
22-8 in the 3rd quarter. Sabrina Ionescuextended the US lead to 67-29.
American three-headed monster Stewart (17 points), Aja Wilson (15 points, 12 rebounds) Kelsey Plum (14 points) combined to beat Canada 46-43, Alyssa Thomas 10 points added.
Despite having eight players on their roster who had never played in a World Cup before, the new Team USA returned to their usual place in the gold medal game. His 5 of 12 players arrived in Sydney shortly after his WNBA finals, 3 champions Las Vegas Aces Players who miss the first two matches of the tournament
“I mean, it’s not easy to get here.” Jewel Lloyd Said. “It may seem like it, but it’s really not easy to get here. With a new team and new faces, it’s exciting.”
two-way wing caria copperHaving started multiple games in this tournament, he suffered a left hip injury in the quarterfinals and missed the semifinals. Reeve is considered suspicious as she has a “potential” appearance in court on Saturday.
