Julius OkorieNigeria’s women Basketball team D’Tigress lost narrowly to the United States in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday night.
D’ Tigress, who made history in this Olympics becoming the first African basketball team men or women, to play in the quarterfinals of the Olympics lost 74 to 88 to United States ,who will next face Australia in the semifinals.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Nigerian ladies lost three of the quarters, clinching the last quarter and it was not enough to edge the Americans.
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The Rena Wakama tutored side, who got standing ovation from appreciative crowd despite the defeat, lost the first quarter 17-26, 2nd quarter 16-26, 3rd quarter 15-24 before winning the last quarter 26-12.
The Nigerian side was not in any way disgraced but put up spirited effort with their heads raised high despite finishing without medals.
In other quarterfinal matches played on Wednesday, hosts France defeated Germany 84-71, Belgium beat Spain 79-66 while Australia edged Serbia 85-67.
The semifinal matches will be played on Friday 9th August, with United States settling scores with Australia while France slugs it out with Belgium at 16.30 and 20.00 respectively.
Australia, who won Silver medals in 2000, 2004 and 2008, are into the semi-finals for the first time since 2012 when they earned bronze.
Belgium, who are hitting the semifinal for the first time, will have a hard nut to crack against France who clinched Bronze medal at the last Olympics in Tokyo.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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