The international stage is set in women’s basketball: host Australia against the defending gold-medal champion United States.
“Australia has created this rivalry with us,” Lisa Leslie said after leading the Americans to a 78-65 victory over South Korea in a Friday night semifinal at the Sydney Dome. Leslie scored 15 points and took down 12 rebounds.
The Aussies (7-0) knocked off Brazil 64-52 in the other semifinal to set up the long-awaited Saturday gold-medal game against the unbeaten Americans.
“We love the intensity about it. We love the fact that the Australians feel they are better than the Americans,” Leslie said. “It’s a cool rivalry. It’s not about war or anything like that. It’s all fun and games and in sport.”
Anti-American sentiment has been discernible in men’s and women’s basketball during these Games.
“The crowd boos us, they cheer for the other team. We are the team that you love to hate,” Leslie said. “But, you know, we have a saying at home: `Don’t player hate, celebrate.’
“So we’re celebrating the fact that we are the USA team. We celebrate the fact that we work hard, don’t play dirty and get the job done.”
U.S. star Sheryl Swoopes, who led all scorers with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting, aggravated a strained left knee during the second half but is expected to play Saturday.
“Sheryl is going to be ready,” Leslie said. “I don’t care if she’s limping, she has to be ready. We need her.”
The Americans appeared to be looking past the Koreans in the first half, trailing 19-13 in the early going and leading by only 42-40 at the half. The U.S. shot 71 percent from the field in the first half, but the Koreans made eight three-pointers.
Natalie Williams came up big for the Americans in the second half, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds and controlling the game under the basket.
“We really respected Korea,” Leslie said. “They’re a tough team, and the best thing about playing against them is that they get us to play at such a high level,” Leslie said. “Hopefully it will carry over to Saturday”
