The US women's basketball team heads into their semifinal match against Australia on Friday with a formidable 59-game winning streak in Olympic competition, as they chase their eighth consecutive gold medal. Having recently ended Nigeria's impressive run in the quarterfinals, the Americans are focused on securing two more victories to set a new Olympic record.
Two-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson expressed the team's determination, stating, "We didn't come this far to go home." She highlighted the growing chemistry and cohesion among the players as they progress through the tournament, which could spell trouble for their opponents, Australia.
Despite the daunting challenge posed by the Americans, Australia's coach Sandy Brondello, who also coaches US stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu in the WNBA, is confident. She emphasized that her team is not intimidated and believes in their ability to compete, saying, "You have got to believe it. It's got to be a positive mindset, knowing on any given day you can come out, and you can beat them."
In addition to the high-stakes semifinal, France and Belgium have secured their places in the final four, with Belgium reaching the semifinals for the first time. France, buoyed by their home crowd, aims to surpass their bronze medal finish from Tokyo and is prepared for a fierce battle. France coach Jean-Aime Toupane noted the familiarity between the teams and anticipated a highly competitive match.
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