Sonja Greinacher hit a shot on a drive with one second left to give top-seeded Germany a thrilling 16-15 win over Canada in an Olympic women’s 3×3 basketball semifinal on Monday.
Canada will now play the United States in the bronze-medal game at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Canada’s Michelle Plouffe tied it at 15-15 with 14 seconds left before Germany (7-1) pulled off the dramatic victory.
Canada (5-4) beat Australia in a play-in game to get to the semis, while Germany got a bye to the final four for finishing first in the preliminary round.
Foul trouble played a big role in keeping Canada out of the gold-medal game.
The Canadians led 10-6 when they picked up their seventh foul, putting Germany in the bonus.
Canada had to be less aggressive defensively after that and Germany responded with a 5-0 run to go up 11-10.
Greinacher had a game-high 11 points and five rebounds for Germany.
Katherine Plouffe, Michelle’s twin sister, Kacie Bosch and Paige Crozon each had four points for Canada.
Canada lost 22-20 in overtime against Spain in the preliminary round.
Spain beat the U.S. 18-16 in the first semifinal.
Canada’s hopes of securing a spot in the gold medal match of the 3×3 basketball tournament at the Tokyo Olympics were dashed on Tuesday, as they fell to Germany in the semifinals. Despite the disappointment of missing out on a chance to play for gold, Canada will now turn their attention to competing for the bronze medal.
The Canadian team, consisting of Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Best, Steve Sir, and Michael Linklater, put up a valiant effort against Germany but ultimately came up short in a 21-15 defeat. The loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Canadian squad, who had been riding high after an impressive run in the tournament.
Despite the setback, Canada will have a chance to redeem themselves in the bronze medal match, where they will face off against the loser of the other semifinal match between Latvia and the United States. The Canadian team will be looking to bounce back from their loss to Germany and finish their Olympic campaign on a high note by securing a spot on the podium.
The 3×3 basketball tournament has been a thrilling addition to the Olympic program, with its fast-paced and high-scoring style of play captivating fans around the world. Canada has been a strong contender throughout the tournament, showcasing their skills and teamwork on the court.
As they prepare for the bronze medal match, Canada will be looking to regroup and refocus in order to come out on top and secure a spot on the podium. With their talent and determination, the Canadian team has what it takes to compete for the bronze medal and make their country proud. Fans will be eagerly watching as Canada looks to end their Olympic journey on a positive note.