USA beats Belgium to open Olympic qualifying tournament

The United States has already qualified for the Paris Olympics by winning the World Cup in Australia in September 2022. However, they are still competing in the Olympic qualifying tournament, which will be a four-team round robin from which two other teams will advance. Get a ticket to the Olympics.

“The adversity we faced was what I wanted. We got it and then some,” U.S. national team coach Cheryl Reeve told reporters after the game. He spoke at a press conference. “I thought we were going to get exactly what we got. They were down two starting pitchers and shorthanded. Travels like this are difficult. The joy is in the journey and that’s why we… That’s what I wanted from this group.”

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The 13,700 participants recorded the largest audience to watch a women’s sporting event in Belgium. Coach Reeve also talked about how the Belgian program has grown over her long career with the national team, naming Emma Messeman one of the top five players in the world. Collier and Messeman are currently the two top scorers for Turkish club team Fenerbahce. However, Team USA limited the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP to just six points on Thursday.

Nafeesa Collier, who scored a team-high 23 points for Team USA, added, “It was a really fun environment to be in Belgium with a packed crowd.” “I’m really proud of how we came together because it’s the first time for many of us to be together.”

For Belgium, Turkish club Galatasaray’s point guard Julie Vanloo led the way with 19 points, while Makuela Lisova Mbaka scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

“It’s disappointing to lose, but we did a great job,” Mbaka said at the post-match press conference. “I’m proud of the team and my personal game. Tomorrow I need to go back to work, recover and do better.”

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On Thursday, Nigeria erased a 12-point deficit by defeating Senegal 72-65. Amy Okonkwo had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Nigeria, and Yassin Diop had 23 points for Senegal. Team USA will face Nigeria on Friday at 12:15 p.m. ET. Belgium and Senegal will face each other immediately after the first game, with the loser being mathematically eliminated.

all over the world

Three other four-team qualifying tournaments will be held this week in China, Hungary and Brazil. Japan, Canada, France, China and Germany were all winners on Thursday, inching closer to the main goal in Paris. France automatically qualifies as host country. The field of 16 players across the four tournaments will be narrowed down to 12 finalists on Sunday.

Rizzotti to coach 3X3 team in Paris

Additionally, Jennifer Rizzotti will lead the U.S. women’s 3X3 team at the Olympics. The United States qualified for the tournament in November as one of the top three teams in the world rankings, along with hosts France and China. The remaining five teams will qualify from his three tournaments this spring.

After winning a gold medal as an assistant for the 5X5 team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Rizzotti began coaching in the FIBA ​​3X3 Women’s Series in 2022. She won 3X3 gold medals at the World Cup, American Cup and Pan American Games in 2023. . University of Rhode Island head coach Tammy Reese will serve as an assistant.