The American men's star ensemble wins the gold medal at the Summer Games for the fifth time in a row. The latest edition of the Dream Team wins the final against France 98:87.
In the semi-final against Serbia, Team USA trailed by as many as 17 points and only prevailed in the final. Perhaps this moment of shock on the way to the Olympic victory they had firmly planned for meant that the Americans defended much more energetically and passionately in the final.
Defense became important, as the American stars did not shine in attack for a long time in the final. They missed more shots, lost more balls and made more technical errors than in previous games. But because the French, led by their star Victor Wembanyama, also failed to produce a brilliant game, the USA stars controlled the action.
Four three-pointers
France only led five times and only during the first quarter of an hour and never by more than two points (7:5). The French led for the last time at 27:26. A few minutes later, the USA led 46:36. After that, the French never got closer than six points - until three minutes before the end! Suddenly it was only 82:79 and then Stephen Curry put on another show: With four three-pointers (!), he made sure things were clear again.
LeBron James, who a year ago began to inspire the star ensemble with personal phone calls for participation in the Olympics, once again provided inspiring sequences in the final at 40. Kevin Durant, who won Olympic gold with the USA team for the fourth time, was for once not the most successful shooter in an Olympic final. Stephen Curry surpassed him thanks to his incredible finish (24 points in total).
No more runaway success
Since Barcelona '92, when a Dream Team competed at the Olympics for the first time (and replaced the US amateurs), American teams have been repeatedly referred to as the Dream Team. Only since Barcelona has the Paris team really earned this designation again. And the comparison between 2024 and 1992 makes it clear: basketball has become a global sport. Even with the very best, the USA can no longer simply march through against teams like France, world champions Germany or Serbia. Three years ago in Tokyo, the streak of 25 consecutive wins came to an end with a defeat against France in the preliminary round.
A word about the French, who also lost their fourth Olympic final against the USA. For them, qualifying for the final and the opportunity to play against the Dream Team at the Palais Omnisports in Bercy on the banks of the Seine was a once-in-a-lifetime chance - or: "C'est un rêve", as Wembanyama put it. The French went on a run of form this summer, losing to Australia, Canada, Germany and Serbia during their preparations. In the preliminary round, they lost to Japan in their first match. Nevertheless, they made it to the final and won silver again.
