Olympics-Basketball 3x3-Latvia into men's semis as U.S. women hit their stride
Updates with later games and quotes
By Benjamin Mallet
PARIS, Aug 2 (Reuters) -Defending champions Latvia locked up a semi-final direct spot in the men's 3x3 basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics on Friday while Serbia, the Netherlands and Lithuania made sure of their places in the knockout phase.
On the women's side, Germany, Spain, Australia and reigning champions the United States also secured passage out of the opening phase before their final pool games on Saturday.
The U.S. finally found their rhythm after a poor start to the tournament and sealed a third straight victory with an 18-17 victory over Canada after earlier beating France 14-13 to eliminate the host nation from the competition.
"It is like a brand-new team from the first three games. We are proud of that," said American Rhyne Howard.
"We are getting better and better every day and that is all we can ask for."
A day after the U.S. had snapped their three-game losing streak, Team USA's Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Jewell Loyd, A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young were courtside to support them.
The U.S. men followed in the footsteps of their female counterparts by finally getting a win on the board in their fifth game of the pool stage on Friday before eliminating China with a 21-17 victory in the last game of the day.
There was late drama in three women's matches with decisive extra-time baskets in Azerbaijan's 21-19 victory over China, the U.S. win over Canada and when Spain edged Canada 22-20.
It looked like another day at the office for Latvia as the Tokyo Olympic men's champions beat France 22-20 and Serbia 21-14 to remain the only undefeated team in Paris.
Still struggling with their offensive skills, France's women were eliminated in the night session by a 14-13 loss to Germany, who top the women's pool with five wins from six games.
The top two from the pool go straight to the semi-finals and the next four teams play off for the other two spots in the last four.
The women's pool round will deliver its verdict on Saturday with one last game for each team and two knock-out clashes to decide who will complete the last four.
Reporting by Benjamin Mallet; Editing by Toby Davis and Clare Fallon
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