Australia takes home the Gold; USA with Bronze
The Australian team won the gold medal with a 91-74 victory over Russia and the USA salvaged the bronze from the Brazilians. Australia (9-0) capped an unbeaten tournament run, although it never had to play the United States, which was upset by Russia in the semifinals. Penny Taylor scored 28 points to earn MVP honors ahead of teammate Lauren Jackson, who is considered by many to be the best player in the world. Jackson finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
On Thursday night, Team USA (8-1) had its 50-game winning streak in international competition end in stunning fashion with a 75-68 loss to Russia in the semifinals.
The winning streak in FIBA and Olympic competition dated to a 110-107 loss to Brazil in the semifinals of the 1994 World Championships. The run included championship victories over Russia in the 1998 and 2002 Worlds.
What happened? Since I did not see the semi-final loss to Russia on T.V., I can only make hypotheses through what I have read and followed on the internet.
1.) Sometimes your luck runs out. Plain and simple. When teams are gunning for you, the ball will eventually bounce in their favor.
2.) I think it really hurt that Lisa Leslie and Yolonda Griffith could not participate for personal reasons. They make up the veteran frontcourt that has been so strong over the past several years. They would have really helped this time around, since both of them were coming off stellar WNBA seasons, especially Leslie with her MVP honor. Candace Parker did a great job, considering she is a college sophomore. The deeper you get into the medal rounds, the deeper your bench has to be.
3.) The fact that the women are all coming right off the WNBA season does not help. For example, Katie Smith and Cheryl Ford wrapped up the WNBA Championship the same weekend the World Championship began. They even arrived later than the rest of the team in Brazil. Because of the WNBA season, team USA did not have so much time to practice together. In the spring, the training tours were used as some sort of tryout of players, not for the final team to get experience playing together.
The USA taking home the bronze was was not something any of us would have predicted, but it has happened. Just as their male counterparts, the women´s USA team finishes 3rd. A bit disappointing I would say, since we claim to be the best in the world. It looks like Russia and Australia have regained their hold of international power.
On Friday, the Czech Republic (5-4) captured seventh place with a 57-49 victory over Spain (4-5) in Ibirapuera. Hana Machova scored 17 points to lead the Czechs.
In the fifth-place game, France (5-4) built a big lead and held on for a 79-73 victory over Lithuania (4-5).
2006 World Championships Top 10 Final Standings:
1. Australia
2. Russia
3. USA
4. Brazil
5. France
6. Lithuania
7. Czech Republic
8. Spain
9. Argentina
10.Canada
What is impressive to me is such a high finish by France. It shows how strong the French league is, excluding the foreign players, which only enhance the level of competition. The next European championship is ``theirs to lose`` as they say, with France likely being the favorite to win.
On Thursday night, Team USA (8-1) had its 50-game winning streak in international competition end in stunning fashion with a 75-68 loss to Russia in the semifinals.
The winning streak in FIBA and Olympic competition dated to a 110-107 loss to Brazil in the semifinals of the 1994 World Championships. The run included championship victories over Russia in the 1998 and 2002 Worlds.
What happened? Since I did not see the semi-final loss to Russia on T.V., I can only make hypotheses through what I have read and followed on the internet.
1.) Sometimes your luck runs out. Plain and simple. When teams are gunning for you, the ball will eventually bounce in their favor.
2.) I think it really hurt that Lisa Leslie and Yolonda Griffith could not participate for personal reasons. They make up the veteran frontcourt that has been so strong over the past several years. They would have really helped this time around, since both of them were coming off stellar WNBA seasons, especially Leslie with her MVP honor. Candace Parker did a great job, considering she is a college sophomore. The deeper you get into the medal rounds, the deeper your bench has to be.
3.) The fact that the women are all coming right off the WNBA season does not help. For example, Katie Smith and Cheryl Ford wrapped up the WNBA Championship the same weekend the World Championship began. They even arrived later than the rest of the team in Brazil. Because of the WNBA season, team USA did not have so much time to practice together. In the spring, the training tours were used as some sort of tryout of players, not for the final team to get experience playing together.
The USA taking home the bronze was was not something any of us would have predicted, but it has happened. Just as their male counterparts, the women´s USA team finishes 3rd. A bit disappointing I would say, since we claim to be the best in the world. It looks like Russia and Australia have regained their hold of international power.
On Friday, the Czech Republic (5-4) captured seventh place with a 57-49 victory over Spain (4-5) in Ibirapuera. Hana Machova scored 17 points to lead the Czechs.
In the fifth-place game, France (5-4) built a big lead and held on for a 79-73 victory over Lithuania (4-5).
2006 World Championships Top 10 Final Standings:
1. Australia
2. Russia
3. USA
4. Brazil
5. France
6. Lithuania
7. Czech Republic
8. Spain
9. Argentina
10.Canada
What is impressive to me is such a high finish by France. It shows how strong the French league is, excluding the foreign players, which only enhance the level of competition. The next European championship is ``theirs to lose`` as they say, with France likely being the favorite to win.
posted by Michelle Maslowski at 1:30 AM
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