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Tuesday, September 19
Canada has lost to both teams
Associated Press
DALLAS -- If anyone can judge the women's basketball teams
from the United States and Australia, it's Canada.
The Canadians have been an equal opportunity opponent in the
weeks leading up to the Sydney Olympics, losing to both by wide
margins. The latest was a 70-31 loss to the United States on
Wednesday night, which followed an 81-40 thumping by the Americans
in San Antonio the night before.
In June, Australia beat Canada three times, by margins of 10, 47
and 24 points. Australia plays the United States in an exhibition
game next month, and it would be no surprise if they meet again in
the gold medal game.
"That is going to be a great game," Canada's Claudia
Brassard-Riebeshel said. "Both teams are extremely fit and
extremely athletic. Australia has very tall, versatile post players
that can shoot from anywhere and drive to the basket. It will be a
very good battle."
Canada was overwhelmed by a U.S. team that isn't even at full
strength. Center Lisa Leslie and forward Sheryl Swoopes, two of the
best players in the world, have been late in joining because of the
WNBA playoffs. So has forward DeLisha Milton.
Yet the Americans, who got back together only last week, have
looked every bit the gold-medal favorite the last two nights. They
blew away Canada with their offensive prowess in San Antonio and
relied on their defense Wednesday night while shooting poorly at
the start.
"They are a really good team, probably No. 1 in the world, and
they are still missing some very good players," Canada's Stacey
Dales said. "They can only get stronger from here."
"I think this could be one of the best defensive Olympic teams
that we've ever had," U.S. team member Nikki McCray said. "It's got to be a focus. In
order for us to win, we have to be able to stop people."
The two teams will meet for a final time Saturday in Oakland,
Calif. The United States will have six more exhibition games after
that before its Olympics opener with South Korea on Sept. 16.
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