Sonja Greinacher made a decisive 2-pointer with 30 seconds remaining, leading Germany to a 17-16 win over Spain and securing the gold medal in women’s 3×3 at the Paris Olympics on Monday night.
Spain briefly took the lead 15-13 with two minutes left, thanks to Juana Camilion’s 3-1 run. However, Elisa Mevius and Marie Reichert scored consecutive baskets to tie the game at 15 with about 90 seconds remaining.
Greinacher’s long-range shot gave Germany a two-point lead. Camilion scored for Spain with 17 seconds left, and Germany turned the ball over, giving Spain one last chance to tie the game. Gracia Alonso’s shot missed, and Germany claimed the victory.
Dirk Nowitzki, a Hall of Famer from the NBA, was present to support Germany, while Spain was cheered on by King Felipe and Hall of Famer Pau Gasol.
Nowitzki celebrated with raised arms when Greinacher made her crucial shot. Camilion scored six points and Alonso added five for Spain.
Hailey Van Lith led the U.S. team to a bronze medal with six points in their 16-13 win over Canada. The U.S. won five consecutive games after starting with three losses. They reached the semifinals but lost to Spain 18-16 in overtime earlier on Monday.
“We talked about it a little bit as a team going home with bronze is better than going home with nothing which we could have done after the rough start that we had,” U.S. player Rhyne Howard said.
“We could have just laid down and not even been competing this far, but we stayed together, we stayed the course and we made something happen from very little.”
Canada was ahead by one point with about 90 seconds left before Dearica Hamby’s basket and free throw put the U.S. up 14-13.
Cierra Burdick’s free throw with 39 seconds remaining made it 16-13 and secured the win. While the team was pleased to win a medal, they were slightly disappointed not to repeat as champions.
