France Advances to Gold Medal Game in Thrilling Overtime Victory Over Belgium

PARIS (AP) — Gabby Williams played a pivotal role in France's advancement to the gold medal game of the Paris Olympics, scoring nine of her 18 points in overtime to secure an 82-75 victory against Belgium on Friday night. Williams expressed her determination to take on more responsibility in crucial moments, contributing significantly to the team's success. This marks France's first appearance in the gold medal game since they won silver at the 2012 London Games. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with home fans passionately supporting the team, waving flags and celebrating as the final buzzer sounded. Williams dedicated the victory to the fans, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout the tournament. The match was notable for being the first overtime game in the knockout round since the 2000 bronze medal game. Belgian guard Julie Vanloo highlighted the impact of the French crowd, describing it as if they had a "sixth man" on the court. The game was tightly contested, with Belgium initially leading 46-31 in the third quarter. However, France mounted a comeback, scoring 10 consecutive points and ultimately taking control in the fourth quarter. Vanloo's late-game heroics, including a game-tying three-pointer, kept Belgium in contention until the final moments. Belgium, despite the loss, will compete for the bronze medal against Australia, marking a commendable achievement for the team in only their second Olympic appearance in women's basketball. Emma Meesseman led Belgium with 19 points and 14 rebounds.