There’s Still Hope! Belgium to Compete with Japan for Third Place in the Group—Chinese Women’s Basketball Team Might Qualify with a Big Win in the Final Round

In the early hours of August 2, group stage matches for women’s basketball continued, with the U.S. women’s team defeating Belgium 87-74, securing their second consecutive win and advancing to the next round. Belgium suffered their second consecutive loss and will compete with Japan in the final round for third place, which is crucial for China’s chances of qualifying.

The U.S. and Belgium are both top-tier teams in women’s basketball today. In this match, the two teams tied in the first quarter, but the U.S. pulled ahead in the second quarter, leading by 8 points at halftime. Belgium kept up with the score throughout the second half, but the U.S. made a strong push in the final quarter, ultimately winning 87-74. Statistically, Stewart scored 26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, Wilson had 23 points and 13 rebounds with 3 steals, while Belgium’s Meesseman scored 24 points.The U.S. women’s team secured their second consecutive win, advancing along with the German women’s team, who also have two consecutive wins. The two teams will face each other directly in the final round to compete for first place in the group. Belgium and Japan both have two consecutive losses and will compete for third place in the final round. Currently, the Japanese women’s team has a point differential of -37, and Belgium has a point differential of -27, both lower than China’s -23. Considering that the two best-performing third-place teams from the three groups can also advance, and given that Belgium and Japan are relatively evenly matched and unlikely to produce a significant point difference, the Chinese women’s team still has a good chance of qualifying. In the final round, they need to do their utmost to defeat Puerto Rico with as large a margin as possible and then wait for their opportunity.