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The French have been silver medallists 12 years in the past in London and took bronze in Tokyo, however they’ve by no means received basketball gold. They defied their previous to push the Americans all the way in which.
Each of their point-scoring photographs resulted in enormous roars, whereas boos greeted the American free throws.
Crucially, with three seconds on the clock, Copper held her nerve amid the distracting noise to sink each of her free throws, that means Williams’ last-gasp effort was in useless.
“Listen, great players show up whenever their name is called. I think the story of my career is just me staying ready. I’m that player,” said Copper, whose side also trailed by 10 points in the third quarter.
A’ja Wilson finished with a game-high 21 points, while gold for Diana Taurasi has made her the first athlete to win six basketball golds.
There was also an emotional medal for Brittney Griner, who was in tears as the American anthem played, in her first international tournament since leaving a Russian prison in a high-profile prisoner exchange in 2022.
“Having a chance to play for gold, represent my country, for what my country did for me.
“This one will certainly be extra pricey to my coronary heart than the opposite ones, for positive.
