The 3x3 basketball tournament at Paris 2024 concluded on Monday with Germany and the Netherlands clinching golds in women's and men's categories respectively.
Jules Rambaut (C) of France competes during the men's gold medal game of 3x3 basketball between France and the Netherlands at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
In the women's semifinals, the United States and Spain were tied at 16-16 after the regulation 10 minutes, pushing the game into sudden-death overtime. Euro Cup gold medalists Spain secured a final berth with an 18-16 win, thanks to a layup and a free throw.
In the other women's semifinal, Sonja Greinacher's buzzer-beater lifted Germany over Canada 16-15, advancing them to the final.
The final was a closely contested battle between the two powerful European teams. Juana Camilion's drive and one-point shot cut Spain's deficit to one point in the dying moments.
With seven seconds remaining, a turnover by Germany's Marie Reichert gave Spain another chance, but Gracia Alonso's last-second jumper hit the rim. Germany thus claimed gold with a thrilling 17-16 victory.
In the men's semifinals, the Netherlands dominated Lithuania with a 20-9 victory, while host nation France defeated Latvia 21-14.
At the packed venue in Place de la Concorde, Dutch star Worthy de Jong's layup sent the neck-and-neck contest into overtime, tied at 16-16.
In overtime, France seemed poised to win as Lucas Dussoulier grabbed an offensive rebound and assisted Timothe Vergiat for a one-pointer. However, De Jong's two-pointer secured the Netherlands' historic first Olympic 3x3 basketball men's title.
