Brazil 53, USA 73

So, with a little luck I got in the gym even though this was supposed to be a scrimmage open only to media folks. But hey, I got a blog, that must count for something, right?
After getting the royal treatment and a seat behind one of the baskets, I proceeded to take pictures and notes.
The scrimmage lasted only 3 quarters as previously agreed to by both parts. Officiating was all Brazilian and not very biased, must I add. The Americans had a bit of trouble seeing the court lines and we saw several turnovers because they would step out of bounds. After I yelled to DeLisha to keep an eye on the blue line, not one out of bounds call the rest of the game. Me and my big mouth.
The US started Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Tina Thompson and DeLisha Milton-Jones. Brazil started Helen Luz, Janeth Arcain, Iziane Castro Marques, Sueli Garvão (Êga) and Alessandra Oliveira.
The US got the first basket on a Catchings layup and quickly opened a 12-point lead as Brazil managed to score 1 point in the first 5 minutes before they got their first field goal. The uptempo style didn't suit the Brazilian starting lineup well, so coach AC Barbosa benched Helen and Alessandra and put Adriana and Micaela in the game, a fairly short lineup, but one that likes to run nonetheless. The results were kick to show up and Brazil managed to close the gap and keep things interesting in the second quarter when they managed to score 16 points to the Americans' 21. Anne Donovan, the US coach, tried several different lineups, but few worked when either Sue Bird or Tina Thompson weren't on the floor. Brazil wasn't boxing out, so the rebound diferential was really something to worry about. The Americans got lots of second chances out of offensive rebounds, especially with Michele Snow and Candace Parker. Other than that, Parker was quiet. Snow was effective down low and Sue got the ball to her quite often. Donovan took advantage of the Houston Comets' starting frontcourt and the US again went on a run. The point guard by committee experiment wasn't a total failure, but judging by the fact that Sue Bird got little rest, it's not working perfectly yet.
Brazil didn't play its starters much, which was weird, but since they're known quantity and the US staff was filming the game, I guess that's a classic case of bluffing. I guess Barbosa was afraid the US staff would catalogue his 5 plays, the same ones he's been running for 20 years. Riiiiiiight...Ball to Izi and she can decide what to do with it. It worked today as she led all scorers with 19 points.
Final score wasn't at all indicative of the game. The third quarter was a lot closer, 24 to 25. But again Brazil got in trouble early on and couldn't get back in the game. If that happens in a real game situation, will Barbosa take his sweet time to make adjustments?
A fun time was had by all, blogger included. I was a bit of a fan for a while, sporting my New York Liberty gear and taking pictures with the players. Got to chat a lot with Micaela and Cíntia, both of whom are extremely nice and friendly. Hopefully we can be the 6th man that will help Brazil have a successful tournament.