Products You May Like
Team USA got their first win on Wednesday, but, prior to Thursday’s games, still found themselves at the bottom of the table.
The Americans can get into the next round, but it’s not going to be easy, as they’re playing France and Canada today. The fact that they were able to turn the ship around after three opening losses gives hope that they’ll keep that momentum. Against Spain, the US won 17-11 thanks to their shooting (50 percent from the floor) and defense (32 percent from the floor for Spain). They’ll need to play extra hard if they want to win Friday’s games.
Their opponents, France and Canada, faced off yesterday and it was a real slugfest. Thanks to tough play on both sides, the Canadians failed to drain a single 2-pointer out of their six attempts, while the French were 1-for-10. Canada won 13-9, and at times it looked like the hosts were less experienced. In 2021, France was the No. 1-ranked team in the world and while that is no longer the case, they’re still very good and capable of handing Team USA another loss. Canada are writing their own, unique story, with the Plouffe twins, Katherine and Michelle, being easy to root for, as they were the founders of the program, along with Paige Crozon, back in 2019.
The Gangarrus and Germans seem locks for next round
Two of Thursday’s games already have concluded, as Australia secured an easy win over Azerbaijan and Germany beat China. With one game remaining to play today the Gangurrus—don’t you just love the creativity behind the nicknames the Aussies give their teams?—and the Germans should be locks for the next round. Justifyingly so, as both teams only lost one game, Australia to Canada and Germany to… Australia.
Today, the Gangurrus didn’t shy away from physical play, as Azerbaijan, led by the Las Vegas Aces’ Tiffany Hayes, was trying to throw them off balance, but Lauren Mansfield (Midland College and Iowa State), Alex Wilson, Anneli Maley (Oregon and TCU) and Marena Whittle (North Dakota State) didn’t allow for that to happen, winning 21-12. Germany’s game wasn’t as easy, as they were playing China, one of the favorites. Germany secured the win thanks to tough defense. The player to watch for them is Sonja Greinacher (Gonzaga), the versatile big who can hold her own on both sides of the floor.
Game information
China vs. Germany
When: Friday, August 2 at 3 a.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: Peacock
Australia vs. Azerbijan
When: Friday, August 2 at 3:30 a.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: Peacock
Australia vs. Spain
When: Friday, August 2 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: Peacock
United States vs. France
When: Friday, August 2 at 7 a.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: NBC
Azerbijan vs. China
When: Friday, August 2 at 11:30 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: Peacock
United States vs. Canada
When: Friday, August 2 at 12 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: Peacock
Canada vs. Spain
When: Thursday, August 1 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: E! Network
France vs. Germany
When: Friday, August 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: Peacock