PARIS — The United States brought Nigeria’s Paris Olympics fairytale to an end with a testy 88-74 quarterfinal win on Wednesday while France’s sweet dreams of women’s basketball gold live on.
The first African team, men or women, to reach the knockout stage of an Olympic basketball tournament, the plucky Nigerian underdogs have been one of the Paris Games feel good stories for their spirited, joyful play and boundless self belief that has embodied the Olympic spirit.
But an Olympic first is one thing, bringing an end to the US 58-match winning streak and run of seven consecutive gold medals would have been a contender for biggest upset in sporting history.
There would be no Hollywood ending on the Bercy Arena hardwood. But Nigeria did not exit meekly, throwing a small fright into the mighty Americans when they rallied in the second quarter to pull within four, 31-27.
France swept past Germany 84-71 and into the semifinals riding the same wave of national pride that carried the men to the final four.
A day after helping lift their men to victory over Canada, another raucous flag-waving crowd poured into Bercy determined to do the same for the women, each basket bringing a rafter rattling roar.
Mission accomplished, French supporters can now plan for Friday when Les Bleues will face Belgium with a place in the gold medal game on the line. — Reuters
