The big quarterfinal victory sets up a semifinal matchup against rival Australia. That one ‘will probably be played like a gold-medal game,’ Tamika Catchings says.
It was 20 years ago Tuesday that the U.S. women’s basketball team taught the world to play.
And with apologies for taking liberties with the Beatles’ seminal lyrics, the U.S. has been doing it for quite a while, making sweet music ever since.
Team USA’s dominant 91-48 quarterfinal victory over Canada extended to 39 an Olympic winning streak that began Aug. 7, 1992, and set up a semifinal matchup with familiar foe Australia.
The U.S. has defeated Australia in the gold-medal game at the last three Olympics. And as Lennon and McCartney might say, get back to where you once belonged.
“Playing them earlier than the gold-medal game will be interesting,” Tamika Catchings said. “But it will probably be played like a gold-medal game.”
The victory over Canada looked more like an early pool-play game because of Team USA’s dominance. Suffocating defense forced turnovers on Canada’s first four possessions and 26 overall, which led to 33 points.
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