The Canada coach of Badalona Jordi Fernández appeased the United States this Sunday (127-118) and took the World Cup bronze after a very even match that was decided in extra time, and that left ‘Team USA’ without a medal for the first time since 2002, thanks to the superb performances of Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Many bet on a final between the United States and Canada. Some said that only one of them was going to make it to the big title match. There were few who thought they were going to give the spectacle that a match of this caliber represents in the fight for the medals. But that was it, an unexpected duel for bronze between the two favorites, the two NBA teams that, already qualified for the Olympic Games, only fought in a very tight clash for the honor of victory.
Because the two defeats in the semifinals, against Serbia and Germany, were a disaster considering the level of both teams. The match at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila (Philippines) for third place was presented as a perfect ‘bronze’ opportunity for redemption and to send a warning thinking in an Olympic key.
And it was Canada that, not without suffering, managed to redeem itself and take the honor of third place after a fight against the world power of this sport. She was also the first to send the message of attention to her continental colleagues.
Specifically, it was a Dillon Brooks who finished the first half with some stellar marks (21 points and 5/5 in triples) and who placed the first set with two baskets to make it 0-5. The Canadian dominance, taking advantage of a sleepy United States, mutated into a 10 lead (13-23) with four minutes to go, which provoked the anger of Steve Kerr on the ‘Team USA’ bench, with his face blurred before the start of the match. theirs.
But despite the reprimands, the ‘Dream Team’ could not stop the circulation of Jordi Fernández’s Canada, fast, precise and effective that made it 25-34 at the end of the first quarter, with the United States, yes, beginning to appear at the match.
Kerr’s talk at half-time in the locker room must have resonated with the players because the United States came out determined to put up a fight. A 12-0 run (19-2 counting the end of the first quarter as well) turned it around to 40-36. The United States was already there. The match began again with an exchange of blows that ended with a tight score of 56-58. The only thing the Americans couldn’t stop at that start was the scoring recital of Dillon Brooks, who added a new triple, the sixth on his personal account.
Although shortly after, at the end of that third quarter, Canada once again found the seams of the United States in defense and, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the controls, exhibiting superiority and leaving quality details in each possession, Canada once again signed an advantage double digits (80-91) to face with some comfort in the last quarter, with everything to decide.
But the United States was not willing to leave the game just like that. He was not willing to stage ‘another surprise’ and, as he did in the second quarter, he recomposed himself forcefully, with a 7-0 run that made it 91-94. Canada began to feel on the ropes and the United States much lighter.
A triple by Haliburton extended the run to 10-0 and tied it at 94. Edwards joined the party and with a basket increased the lead to a 12-0 run and 96-94. The comeback was complete in less than five minutes. Canada, greatly outmatched, managed to stop the bleeding with a rebound from Dort that added two soothing points (96-96).
With four minutes to go, tie at 100. Equality was maximum. Each failure penalized, each success a blow on the table that could be decisive. Brooks’ seventh triple (105-106). Edwards responded with a powerful drive to the basket. Again Brooks (39 points) equalized with a free throw (107-107), prior to the failure of the first of them. Less than a minute and Alexander-Gilgeous rose to put the Canadians ahead with a move that, although he has been putting into practice throughout the World Cup, seems indefensible (107-110).
It was then, with the score at 108-111, just when it seemed that the United States was hopeless, when Bridges appeared to miss a free throw, grab his own rebound, go to the three-point line and tie the game, leaving 0.6 on the clock ( 111-111). Olynyk tried from distance, but the game went into extra time. Five minutes of all or nothing for the bronze.
Canada started better again and in two they had a six-point advantage (112-118), with Shai unleashed (31 points), smiling after his baskets, knowing he was the chosen one at this moment. A six-point lead that Canada, this time, did not let slip. Rj Barret’s triple confirmed the victory (118-127). Canada appeased the always feared ‘Team USA’ and closed its great World Cup with the bronze medal. The United States, for the first time in 21 years, precisely since their World Cup in 2002, was left without a medal.
118. USA (25 31 26 29 7): Mikal Bridges (19), Jalen Brunson (13), Anthony Edwards (24), Josh Hart (10), Walker Kessler (6) -starting team- Paolo Banchero (-) Tyrese Haliburton (6), Brandon Ingram (-), Cameron Johnson (3), Jaren Jackson Jr. (-), Bobby Portis Jr. (14), Austin Reaves (23).
127. Canadá (34 24 33 20 16): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31), Rj Barret (23), Luguentz Dort (11), Dillon Brooks (39), Dwight Powell (4) -equipo inicial-, Kelly Olynyk (11), Kyle Alexander (-), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (5), Zach Edey (0), Phil Scrubb (0), Melvin Ejim (3), Trae Bell-Haynes (-).
Referees: Antonio Conde (Spain), Julio Anaya (Panama) and Takaki Kato (Japan). Booby Portis JR (USA) was disqualified for two technicals.
Incidents: match corresponding to the fight for third place in the 2023 Basketball World Cup, played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila (Philippines).
