End of the dream! Brazilian women’s 3×3 basketball team ended up being defeated in the semi-final stage of the sport’s Pre-Olympic Games and will not compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In a match decided in just one possession, Brazil lost the match to Australia 18-16, a team that will make its debut in the edition in the French capital.
The Brazilians had a good start to the game and started with an advantage against the Australian team, leading the match by one point. Halfway through the period, Brazil’s rivals managed to turn things around after converting two free throws. At the mark of the final four minutes, point guard Vitória Marcelino hit a long-range ball and left everything equal at 12 to 12. However, Australia regained the lead, opened a small advantage over the yellow-green team and secured their victory and the classification to the decision.
The Brazilian team was formed by Clarissa dos Santos, Luana Souza, Thayná Silva and Vitória Marcelino. Now, Brazilian 3×3 basketball will turn its attention to the AmeriCup dispute. The continental competition will take place in the second half of the year, in Puerto Rico, and offers a place in the 2025 World Cup. After eliminating the Brazilian team, the Australians beat Canada 19-16 and booked their place at the Paris Olympics. Among men, the Netherlands qualified after beating Lithuania by a score of 19 to 15.
