(3 Aug 1996; Day 15)
The final two undefeated teams in the women's basketball tournament will fight for the last gold medal to be awarded in Atlanta on Sunday evening at 18:35 at the Georgia Dome.
The contest features two offensive powers, the high-scoring Americans versus
the run-and-gun Brazilians. Whereas the U.S. relies heavily upon its inside game, Brazil counters with a strong perimeter attack.
Both teams enter the contest with identical 7-0 records, with the U.S. defeating Australia in the semifinals, 93-71, while Brazil topped Ukraine 81-60. Australia and Ukraine will battle for third place in the bronze-medal game at 16:00.
Much of the U.S.'s feared offensive attack revolves around the play of center Lisa LESLIE, who is averaging 18.14 points per game. Also a force on the boards, LESLIE has collected 7.42 rebounds per contest in Atlanta. Yet, if it were not for local hero and University of Georgia graduate Teresa EDWARDS, LESLIE might not get the ball so easily. EDWARDS leads all Olympians with a 7.71-assist-per- game ratio.
Coach Tara VANDERVEER's squad is ready to recapture its rightful throne atop the international women's basketball ladder, having finished third both in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and the 1994 World Championships after a history of success in world play.
"We have worked hard to get into this position," said VANDERVEER. "I am honestly very proud of our team and the way they have stayed focused. But we will have to play our best game yet and work very hard to contain Brazil."
As the reigning world champions, Brazil enters the matchup with its fastbreak and perimeter-oriented attack, which has helped the team shoot a tournament-leading 40 percent from behind the three-point arc.
Much of the credit for that efficiency has come because of the efforts of Maria Paula SILVA, who is shooting 46 percent from three-point range. SILVA is also the fifth-leading scorer in Atlanta, averaging 17.57 points per game while dishing out 5.28 assists. In the paint, Janeth ARCAIN has tallied 6.85 rebounds to go along with her 16.85 points and 4.57 assists.
Brazil has been a steadily rising force in the world of women's basketball, having placed seventh at Barcelona and 10th in the 1990 World Championships. Guaranteed its first-ever Olympic medal in women's basketball, coach Miguel ANGELO's Brazilian team has had prior success against the U.S., having toppled the Americans in the semifinals of the 1994 World Championships.
"We on the coaching side only took over after Barcelona," said ANGELO. "It's not only our work, but the work of these girls. Given the culture of Brazil, we didn't like to play defense. We knew we had to work on the defense. But we tell them no matter how much we teach them, if it isn't in their heart, it isn't enough."
On Sunday night, the score will be settled and only one will remain standing.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brad Laux.
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| An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games. |