PARIS (France) - USA have the G.O.A.T., the winning streak and the belief.
The French are emotionally charged up after beating Belgium in overtime in front of an electric crowd at Bercy Arena.
Who's winning the gold medal game, and who's going to be the MVP?
Our experts weigh in.
Jeff Taylor is a long-time FIBA writer, columnist and veteran FIBA Media play-by-play commentator.
Mike Taylor commentated alongside Jeff for FIBA Media at EuroBasket 2022 and at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila. He coached Poland's national team for several years and is now at the helm of Winnipeg Sea Bears in Canada, where he was the CEBL Coach of the Year in 2023.
Azania Stewart has been a FIBA Media commentator since 2019 and is watching games in Paris. She represented Great Britain at the 2012 Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament, at FIBA EuroBaskets and at the Commonweath Games.
Mark Clark is a veteran coach and long-time commentator for FIBA Media.
Shona Thorburn is a FIBA Media commentator and has been watching games in Lille. She is two-time Canada Olympic point guard and a coach at French top-flight side Basket Landes.
Carlan Gay is a veteran journalist and FIBA Media commentator.
Who's winning gold?
Carlan: France has had a terrific Olympic run. How many young basketball players want to be the next Marine Johannes and Gabby Williams? A silver medal is a great accomplishment and will be celebrated for many many years. This American team is too dominant. An all-time talented roster that has two of the best players on the planet rolling in A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. The Olympic win streak will continue to LA in 2028.
Mark: France must have been inspired by the power of playing at home. If France actually believe they can win, they could. Hopefully they will not settle for silver as they did in 2012. If France are aggressive, they can hang around and the longer they do that, the pressure could mount on USA.
The issue for France will be defense, especially guarding the USA frontline, and slowing down the USA transition game. If France mix up their defense, shorten the game, disrupt the USA, they have a shot. Ultimately, I'd expect that USA frontline will overpower France. Their defense will generate transition points and get another gold medal.
Azania: With the host nation, France, securing an incredible overtime win over Belgium, they now face the reigning champions, USA, in what promises to be an epic showdown for the gold. The French home crowd has been nothing short of outstanding, playing a significant role in their team's success. While their support has been invaluable, I don't think it will be enough to derail the Americans from their gold medal dominance.
Mike: USA won their 60th game in a row in that 85-64 victory over Australia. When this impressive streak reaches 61, it means an eighth straight gold medal for USA women, and a 10th gold medal for the program in Olympics history. Adding extra motivation, 42-year-old Diana Taurasi, the all-time Olympic leader in 3-point field goals made and fourth all-time leading scorer, will close her legendary Olympic career with an amazing sixth gold. Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson will lead the USA attack on the floor and help the team bring home the gold.
Fueled by the energy from the home country crowd, Marine Johannes and Gabby Williams led the French to a big Quarter-Final win over Germany. The French took care of Belgium with an excellent team effort. They will look for more of the same in the Gold Medal Game. In the end, the depth and talent of the USA will be the difference but the world will respect French basketball for reaching the title game in both the men's and women's tournaments in Paris.
Shona: The beauty of sports is that upsets happen all the time. But the best know how to win and avoid that. There is no reason this USA team shouldn't win. They have two MVPs on the team, Stewart and Wilson. The G.O.A.T., Taurasi, whose teammates won't want to let her down, and a bench full of talent that could start for any other country.
France, though, have one of the most talented teams they have ever had. We have seen coach Jean Aime Toupane change up his starting line-up - some games different players play more than others. Johannes can dazzle, Williams can take over a game ... this is really a team that could compete with the USA. I think if any team in this tournament is going to pull off the biggest upset in women’s basketball it’s France. Allez les Bleues !
Jeff: Look at the facts. The USA go into the Gold Medal Game riding a 60-game winning streak at the Olympics. They have Diana Taurasi, aka "The G.O.A.T." They have A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner, which is to say they have talent, length and gold-medal winning experience. They have great players, 1 through 12.
And the only team to give them a run for their money in recent times, Belgium, is out! Belgium, who fell to the USA, 81-79, on February 8 at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp after Stewart's offensive rebound and put-back at the buzzer, lost to France in Friday's Semi-Final clash, 81-75.
The one advantage the French have at these Olympics came into play in their Semi-Final win over the Cats. Deafening noise made the 12,389-strong crowd sound like 50,000!
The USA look unbeatable. They are not. France need to take the fight to the Americans. They need to be physical. They need to force turnovers. They need to make shots. They need to believe. This is David v Goliath, and David is at home. The French will edge this at the buzzer.
Who is the MVP?
Mike: The MVP for the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament is either going to A'ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart. I think it will be the latter. Against two extremely tough awkward opponents, she excelled, scoring 22 points and corralling 8 rebounds against Japan and erupting for 26 points in the win over Belgium.
She also pulled down 7 boards, handed out 5 assists and swatted 3 shots in each of those games. Wilson stood out in those games, too, especially with her scoring and rebounding. She did turn over it more than Stewart, though. Both were terrific in the Semi-Final win over Australia. It's so close for me but I give the edge to Stewie.
Carlan: Emma Meesseman, Marine Johannes and Breanna Stewart have all played well enough to win MVP, but this award belongs to A'ja Wilson. Wilson and Stewart have similar offensive numbers, but where Wilson separates is what she's been able to do on the defensive end. Going into the Final, she leads the tournament in blocks.
She's been the anchor of the best defensive team of the tournament. Those two things for me give her the edge over her teammate. Following up a Women's World Cup MVP with an Olympic MVP should solidify Wilson's spot in the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Mark: Aja Wilson simply has been huge across the stat line. She's becoming a leader on such a great team.
Azania: Emma Meesseman is my MVP. She has been the efficient queen. She leads Belgium in efficiency, points. She hit a clutch three-point shot to put them in contention and send the game to overtime against France. She is the Belgium G.O.A.T., has been so solid, averaging the most points in the tournament - 23.4 points per game.
Shona: The MVP in my mind is Emma Meesseman!! No player makes those around her better than Emma. She constantly is making history with Belgium and any team she is on for that matter. If Belgium win a bronze medal, no question Meesseman is MVP!
Jeff: Gabby Williams. Her engine never stops. Playing at home and under pressure to deliver game after game, she does. Williams was solid across the board - 15 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals - in the Quarter-Final win over Germany. Then in the Semi-Finals, with Belgium having stolen the momentum, Williams came to the rescue and scored 9 of her team-high 18 points in overtime to lead Les Bleues into the Gold Medal Game.
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