PARIS (France) - A stunning 30 points from Ezi Magbegor carried Australia past Belgium 85-81 in a thrilling bronze medal game at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024.
In what was one of the best games of the entire competition, both nations served up a last day treat for fans inside the Bercy Arena. The Opals won their first medal since London 2012 where they also took bronze, while this was double heartache for Belgium in the wake of their Semi-Finals overtime loss to France.
The Cats had been searching for their maiden medal at the Games.
In stark contrast, this was a staggering fifth medal for Opals' legend Lauren Jackson, who finally called time on her truly spectacular Olympic legacy.
Turning point
It was 69-69 approaching the midway point of the last quarter when Australia put on a 7-0 run. A lot happened after this down the stretch, but it gave the Opals the cushion needed to crawl over the finishing line as Belgium never got level after this.
Game heroes
Magbegor brought it in spectacular fashion when it mattered most with a jaw-dropping performance efficiency valuation of 45. That was made up from her 30 points on 12 of 17 field goal shooting, as well as 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks.
The loss was tough on Julie Vanloo who showed out with 26 points for Belgium, as well as Emma Meesseman who contributed 23 points.
Stats don't lie
It was a familiar story for Belgium who's lack of scoring off the bench was an issue. They only harvested 8 points compared to more than double that for Australia with 18.
The Cats also gave up 14 second chance points but only managed 2 for themselves.
Bottom Line
After being on the wrong end of that upset against Nigeria in their first game in Lille, few might have predicted that the Opals would end up on the podium. But huge credit to Sandy Brondello and Co for silencing the doubters and reacting so emphatically. Their depth and experience got it done again as they claimed a bronze for the second global tournament running, having taken third place at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.
The emergence of Jade Melbourne was a big plus, the form and impact of Alanna Smith too, but with a lot of veterans probably now departing, these will be interesting times ahead for Australia.
In the end, it proved to be double heartbreak for the Cats as they missed out on the Final in that epic overtime loss against France and now on a potential maiden medal. Their short rotation proved to be a real problem, with their core players performing well, but looking like the tank was empty by the end of the competition.
From where they were after two games and staring at a shock early exit, they still made history with a first Semi-Finals slot. That might not seem much consolation right now for ballers and leaders like the remarkable Emma Meesseman, but it's yet another new high tide mark on a remarkable basketball journey for the Cats.
They said
"The fact that I got to be here and with this [medal] with the group is a dream come true." - Lauren Jackson
"How special? I mean, this is just incredible. The girls played incredible basketball sand when you look at what Ezi did. She was incredible and seeing the way that she dominated, this Australian team has so much more to look forward to. The fact that I got to be here and with this [medal] with the group is a dream come true. " Opals' forward and legend, Lauren Jackson.
"I am just proud of this team. We have shown a lot of resilience in this tournament. We knew it was a bronze medal game for some who were playing for the last time in Opals' jersey, so it was a big one for us. Lauren [Jackson] is name synonymous with success and she just brings a lot of experience to our team - whether she is on the floor or not. She is greatness for us and to be able to experience this with her is a great honor. We knew what she has done for basketball and in her career. She is the best and wins wherever she goes and she's showed it by helping us to win bronze." Australia's game-winner, Ezi Magbegor.
"We gave it our all. We have everything we had but it was just too short. We did a lot of good things that will make Belgium proud.I think in the end they took a lot of offensive rebounds and made big shots. so it took a lot of energy for us to come back and at the end they built a bigger gap and it was impossible to come back.
"I don't think we are even thinking it will be our last time." - Antonia Delaere
"I don't think we are even thinking it will be our last time. We are living in the moment But for sure the Olympics is every four years. It's just super sad that two times we were so close. I would rather lose two times by 20 points. We will see in four years, but I am not thinking about that now. I felt in the team we were still believing in it after France. We really believed we could win this game. Before it, we said we would forget the tiredness and the pain and I don't want this as an excuse." Belgium winger, Antonia Delaere.
Quick notes
- Australia have won their 6th medal in the Women’s tournament at the Olympics (3 silver, 3 bronze), the second-most behind the USA (12, including 2024); their three bronze medals are a record for a team in the competition. - This is only the second time that the two teams scored 80+ points in a bronze-medal game at the Olympics, after Russia-China in 2008 (94-81); the 85 points for Australia are their best total in their six appearances in a medal-winning game in the competition. - Australia have become only the second team to see two of its players having a double-double in a medal-winning game at the Olympics (Ezi Magbegor & Alanna Smith), after the USA in 1984 in the gold-medal game against South Korea (Cheryl Miller & Janice Lawrence). - Ezi Magbegor (30pts 13reb) is the first player to combine 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a medal-winning game at the Olympics; she also added two steals and three blocks, becoming the first player with 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 2+ steals and 2+ blocks in a game at the Olympics in the 21st century. - Julie Vanloo (26pts 11ast) has become the first player to register a double-double in points and assists in a medal-winning game at the Olympics; in fact, she is also the first player with 20+ points and 10+ assists in a game at the Olympics since 1996 (South Korea’s Eun Jeong Chun, 29pts 14ast v DR Congo) and the first one to do it in a knockout stage game in the history of the competition.
FIBA