PARIS (France) - Dreams will continue while others will shatter for the women's teams on a massive day four of the 3x3 competition at the Paris Olympics. 

    PARIS (France) - Dreams will continue while others will shatter for the women's teams on a massive day five of the 3x3 competition at the Paris Olympics. 

    Let's look at the things to know on a day which brings a close to the pool stage before the two play-in matches complete the draw for the semi-finals. 

    Germany-Spain has huge semi-final implications

    If Germany win, then they will lock up a semi-final berth. It gets complicated if they lose because the teams will be tied up with five wins. Australia are also in the mix having won four games and they will start favorite against a slumping France. 

    Spain enjoyed a monster day four after capitalizing on a three-player Australia before Sandra Ygueravide hit a two-piece buzzer beater to take down Canada in the night session. 

    It will be a mouth-watering contest between European powerhouses. 

     Mansfield injury concerns halt Australia's charge 

    After easily accounting for Azerbaijan, Australia were rolling with their fourth straight win moving them tantalizingly close to a coveted semi-final spot.

    But disaster struck when sharpshooter Lauren Mansfield injured her back during the warm-up before their game against Spain. She did not take her place as a three-player Australia ran out gas against Spain after putting up a spirited effort. 

    There is an unknown over Mansfield's status with her teammates expressing confidence of her availability for their last pool game against France on day five. 

    But there is wider concern over her status with Mansfield a key cog of the team. The lethal lefty can heat up from range and orchestra the team's offense through pretty passing. 

    The diminutive Mansfield has struggled with her shot throughout the tournament, but produced her best game of the tournament against Azerbaijan with 5 points on 4 of 9 shooting. 

    Australia will need Mansfield in the line-up and firing if they are to go all the way. 


    WNBA All-Stars will look to continue to build momentum for USA 

    The defending women's champs are back in business. USA's gold medal defense was in tatters after opening with three straight defeats, but they've roared back to life and have progressed to the play-in. 

    It wasn't easy on day four with USA needing clutch baskets from WNBA All-Stars Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard respectively to overcome France and Canada. 

    Hamby hit a tough shot over French superstar Laetitia Guapo for the go-ahead winner, while Howard emerged as the hero against Canada after hitting a contested two-pointer in OT to trigger scenes of jubilation from the USA. 

    USA will close against China and they will be looking to continue building chemistry as their WNBA players find their feet on the half-court. 

     Azerbaijan keep alive their fairy-tale 

    With just one win from 5 games, Azerbaijan faced a do-or-die game on day four against former World Cup champs China, who were also desperate for a win with a 2-3 record. 

    Trailing for much of the game, Azerbaijan appeared to be packing their bags but kept within striking distance. China, however, had the answers and were on the brink of victory with a 19-15 lead. 

    With their backs to the wall, Azerbaijan weren't done with just yet as star Tiffany Hayes forced OT with a clutch two from the left side. 

    Then Alexandra Mollenhauer drilled a two to clinch a miraculous victory for Azerbaijan, who kept their Olympic dream alive in dramatic fashion. Hayes finished with an incredible triple-five of 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 highlights. 

    Azerbaijan are currently sixth and finish with a tough clash against Canada, who have also yet to lock in a spot in the play-in. 

    China need Lili Wang to step up

    China are currently in seventh position and have to beat USA to progress. They desperately need superstar Lili Wang to rediscover her best if they are to overcome a resurgent USA riding a tidal wave of confidence.

    The former Asia Cup MVP, who was equal joint leading scorer at the Tokyo Olympics, is averaging just 3.7 ppg and shooting only 20%. It has been tough going for Wang, who only recently returned from a serious knee injury. 

    Wang has proven over and over again that she is born for the big stage. But she needs to offer a reminder against the USA otherwise China will be eliminated. 

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