Saitama (Japan) (AFP)

Untouchables, like Brittney Griner, American basketball players won the gold medal for the seventh time in a row at the Tokyo Games, beating the Japanese (90-75) in Saitama, where Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have entered the legend of Olympism.

Respectively aged 40 and 39, these two immense champions now belong to the closed club of sportsmen to have won at least one Olympic title in five different editions, alongside the British rower Steve Redgrave, the German kayaker Birgit Fischer, Hungarian fencers Pal Kovacs, Aladar Gerevich and Italian Valentina Vezzali, and German riders Reiner Klimke and Isabell Werth (who even has 6).

Unbeaten in official competitions since September 2006, the Americans are now at 55 straight wins at the Olympics.

An exceptional series that began in Barcelona in 1992, with the bronze medal in the match for 3rd place.

Logically ultra-favorites, faced with astonishing Japanese who surprised their world by successively eliminating Belgium in the quarterfinals and France in the half, bringing a breath of fresh air to the landscape of women's basketball, the United States held their rank.

Under the eyes of the star of women's football Megan Rapinoe, bronze medalist with the United States and companion of Bird, of their male counterparts, Jrue Holiday and Bam Adebayo in particular, and of the trainer Gregg Popovich, crowned more difficult the day before against France (87-82), they started the meeting with a bang.

It was a question of sending a message to the carefree Japonases forming "the squad of the dawn" (Akatsuki Five).

- Fuji, Rushmore and Olympus mountains -

Relying on an aggressive defense (8 blocks, 5 interceptions in the first period), "Team USA" quickly distanced itself (18-5) after six minutes of play, before the Japanese began to find their sights behind the 'bow thanks to Nako Motohashi (4/5, 16 pts) to pick up at six lengths (20-14).

The legendary Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird celebrate the success of the Americans in the basketball tournament in Saitama, August 8, 2021 Thomas COEX AFP

But the second quarter was that of ultra-domination inside Brittney Griner (18 pts at the break, 30 in the end), unplayable by its size and power, which carried the lead of his team to fourteen points, certainly reduced to eleven at half-time (50-39), by baskets from the talented Japanese captain Maki Takada (17 pts).

Upon returning from the locker room, the American steamroller continued to advance on the floor of the Super Arena.

Wing A'ja Wilson (19 pts, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks) took over from Griner near the circle, aided by Breanna Stewart (14 pts, 14 rebounds) and they took the lead 75-56 in the start of the last quarter.

A final period during which "Team USA" managed without forcing this advantage despite the tireless efforts of their valiant opponents, whom no one, before these Olympics, had seen emerge so strong from Mount Fuji.

But not enough to climb Mount Rushmore in women's basketball and earn a place of gold on Mount Olympus.

The talented Japanese leader Rui Machida tries a dribble over the American Sue Bird in the final of the Olympic baskt tournament in Saitama, August 8, 2021 Thomas COEX AFP

The silver remains an exceptional performance for Japan whose best result so far was a 5th place in Montreal in 1976. They have made an appointment for Paris-2024.

© 2021 AFP