The first group of the 2016 Olympic Games Women’s Basketball event is over and by the end of Sunday, the entire group stage of the tournament will be concluded. It has been a fascinating first week of the tournament and there has been a lot to look back on.
Saturday’s action saw Group A come to a close and there was a double-period of overtime in one game. Add in the fact that there was exciting tie-break drama and you had a thrilling day of basketball action. This has left Group B with a lot to live up on Sunday but there is no reason why there cannot be a great deal of energy and excitement from these games.
Group A
First up on Saturday were Australia who were looking to claim a 100% group record, and they were facing a team that couldn’t progress from the group stages. It wasn’t vintage Australian basketball action but with 17 points from group stage star Liz Cambage, the Australians got there in the end. Mind you, it took a monumental final quarter to seal the win. Belarus led by 7 points going into the last quarter but a phenomenal 22-7 scoring run turned the tie and allowed the Aussies to grab that 100% record.
The hosts said goodbye to the tournament and while they couldn’t grab a win, they were so close to success. The fact that the game went to the second period of overtime before the teams could be separated says it all and Brazil can at least look back on a finale that kept their fans enthralled to the end. However, with a 16 point lead at half-time, there will be some disappointment from the Brazilians. LaToya Sanders picked up 23 points for Turkey who won the game with a 9-6 second overtime period showing while Izi Castro Marques provided 22 points for the losing hosts.
Great performances in the second and third quarter were enough to help Japan to victory in the game against France but they were unable to move higher than fourth place in the group. Asami Yoshida delivered 24 points in the win while France benefitted from 14 points from Olivia Époupa and Isabelle Yacoubou.
The score-lines from 13th August in Group of Women’s Olympic Basketball were as follows:
- Australia 74 v Belarus 66
- Turkey 79 v Brazil 76 (2OT)
- Japan 79 v France 71
The group finished with Australia on 10 points and then France, Turkey and Japan all on 8 points. Belarus finished on 6 points and the host nation Brazil finished bottom of the group with 5 points from 5 games.
The three teams on 8 points led to an interesting tie-break situation as everyone had a 1-1 record in the head to heads.
- France defeated Turkey but lost to Japan
- Turkey defeated Japan but lost to France
- Japan defeated France but lost to Turkey
The order came down to points difference in the head to head, finishing
- France + 8
- Turkey -2
- Japan -6
All of the qualifiers from Group A are back in action on Tuesday 16th of August as the knock-out round gets underway. Japan, as fourth placed team, know they will face Group B winners USA but with Group B still to play out, the other three qualifiers from Group A are still waiting to learn who their next opponents will be. This will be decided when Group B climaxes on Sunday 14th of August.
Group B
There is still one qualification space up for grabs in Group B and we have a showdown between the teams in second and third place to see who will take the runner-up spot in the group. This means that there is plenty to look forward to in the final day of group action at the 2016 Rio Games.
China v United States
This game tips off at 1615 BST.
China need a win in this game if they are going to have any realistic chance of overtaking Serbia for the final qualification spot in Group B. In a one-off game, there is always a chance of victory but anyone looking at the odds will realise that China don’t have a lot to be confident about in looking forward to this game.
China’s last game saw them downed by Serbia and that is likely to be the result that sees them finish in fifth place. Sun Mengran provided 16 points in the defeat but the loss by 8 points gave Serbia the head to head in any points tie between the teams.
The US were dominant without being spectacular against Canada, winning by 30 points! They were boosted by 14 points from Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi but this game is likely to provide more chances to rack up the points and get ready for the knockout round.
Look to back USA at -41.5 which you can find at odds of 1.90. For the Over/Under market, look to go UNDER 167.5 which is also available at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
Senegal v Serbia
This game tips off at 1930 BST.
Assuming China haven’t pulled off the shock of the tournament, and maybe even the millennium, Serbia should come into this game knowing that even if they lose, they’ll take the one point that is required to push them into the knockout round. Senegal are yet to win a game in this tournament and while they will look to push the Serbians as hard as they can, it should be a win for the European side.
Serbia defeated China in their most recent outing with Ana Dabović being integral to this success, providing 23 points in the victory. A showing like this against Senegal should be enough to give Serbia another win in the group stages.
Senegal were mauled by Spain in their most recent and their response in this game will be interesting. They could be desperate to get the tournament over and done with, which could see them offering up a limp performance but conversely, they could push themselves harder than they have managed all tournament in an attempt to end their season on a high. Mame-Marie Sy provided 16 points in the defeat.
Back Serbia at -29, which is on offer at odds of 1.90. If you’re looking for the Over/Under market, look to go UNDER 150.0 which you can find available at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
Spain v Canada
This game tips off at 2145 BST.
Spain are currently in second place on points difference but the winner of this game will be clear in second and will give themselves a game against Turkey, as opposed to France, in the knockout round.
Spain dealt with Senegal in a convincing manner in their last game, with Alba Torrens grabbing 14 points, but this will be a much tougher game. It is a game that Spain are very capable of controlling and winning but they’ll need to deliver a strong and consistent showing.
For Canada, they’ll know that they can’t take the defeat to the United States too seriously. Miranda Ayim provided 8 points in a game where points were difficult to come by, but they’ll receive many more chances to score against Spain than they did against America.
In saying that, take Spain at -8, which is available at odds of 1.90 for this game. If you are looking for the Over/Under market, look to go OVER 130.0 which you will find on offer at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
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