Semi-Final Recaps

Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow realized what you gotta do

When I got to the arena, I was treated to a thrilling finish to the Czech Republic versus France game. Down by 2 points, Klimesova, the starting power forward for Czech Republic, was fouled with 0.9 seconds left in overtime. She proceeded to miss the first free throw and inexplicably make the second, ruining the Czech's chances to tie the game and take it to second overtime. As it was, France prevailed and was to face Lithuania in the 5th place game.
15 minutes prior to tipoff of the semi-final game between Brazil and Australia, two tall women walk right in front of me and get settled in the next row down from where I was sitting. I immediately recognized my former college teammates and we were all ecstatic to be sitting together for such a great event. My friend Helô, diehard Liberty fan that she is, promptly noticed my Liberty backpack and we all shared a laugh when I remembered she used to practice with Liberty game shorts that would've looked big on Tamika Whitmore. She got a Liberty bandanna from one of the Crazy Americans and soon after that, she had one cup of beer in each hand. Ode to the good ole times when we were the champs. Good thing I didn't get beer sprayed all over me this time.
Now back to the real game, the Opals took the court to thunderous boos, but they weren't about to be intimidated. The arena wasn't entirely full by the time the Brazilians came out of the tunnel (hate latecomers), but the noise and general hysteria were there as usual.
Brazil again started out the game attacking the basket with Iziane and Alessandra, working well inside and limiting Lauren Jackson's touches. Nevermind that LJ didn't have a great game against us; it was Penny Taylor who killed Brazil the first time. So AC Barbosa starts the game with a man-to-man and Janeth freaking Arcain on Penny Taylor. 37-year old Arcain, tired legs, sprained ankle and all, running around trying to guard the taller, stronger, younger, more athletic Taylor (geez, I sound like FFO). Sure enough Penny goes off for 13 points in the first quarter and Janeth is already dog tired. Tired enough to miss all her field goals and be a defensive liability. In the second quarter, Barbosa brought Micaela into the game to guard Taylor and the move yielded results immediately. Taylor struggled to get open and Micaela wasn't falling for screens of death and such. Alessandra shut down LJ and the game seemed in control, with our man-to-man working to perfection. LJ was so frustrated, she got called for a too hard for words intentional foul on Micaela. I'd never seen LJ fluster like that, but the boos were deafening and she turned to the Brazil bench and apologized raising her hand and muttering something.
With LJ and Penny limited to running around trying to receive the ball, Belinda Snell got loose and started knocking down 3-pointers and jumpers. Iziane wasn't really on Snell as much as she should and, par for the course, it took Barbosa long enough to realize that.
Even with that, we managed to keep up with them in the first half, thanks to Micaela, who held Penny Taylor to two points in the second quarter, and Érika who, while too slow to cover LJ on the perimeter, wasn't giving up an inch inside while contributing with her rebounding and overall post presence.
In the third quarter, we started clicking on offense again. Iziane and Êga were scoring on a variety of moves. Alessandra didn't start the third because of a shoulder injury suffered in the first quarter, but once she was in again, she delivered. Save a few dumb turnovers and unforced errors (huh, Érika, hello, don't touch a ball that's all but out of bounds), we were the better team. Until...do I really need to say that Barbosa (again) screwed up? Is the fourth quarter of an elimination game the best time to make experiments, especially when you're up against a better team?
Yeah, I thought so. Up by 7 at the end of the third, our starting lineup in the fourth didn't resemble the one that had gotten us the lead. Cintia was in for Érika and Janeth was in for Micaela. Australia quickly went on a 7-2 run to close the gap and went ahead on an LJ 3-pointer over 5-4 Adriana Moisés Pinto. How's that for a mismatch?
All that in 2 or 3 minutes, it was all a haze, it was so fast. I got completely mad at one specific play. I turned around, stomped my foot on my chair and sat down, head in my hands, crazed look, until I felt hands on my hair, shoulders, and little voices saying "calma, calma, tá tudo bem", which means, "calm down, it'll be ok". I couldn't help but laugh even if I didn't want to. I looked up and there were five little girls surrounding me, trying to calm me down. The least we could was buy them ice cream for putting up with me and my antics.
From that point on it was all downhill for Brazil. LJ got going and there was nothing we could do at that point as we didn't have a good enough/tall enough perimeter defender to cover her. Kristi Harrower moved the ball really well and found LJ and Snell whenever they got open. Brazil was forcing shots on offense and the Opals opened up a double-digit lead in the final minute. Brazil just about gave up when LJ shifted into overdrive toward the end of the game.
A few bad news for the Aussies as Penny Taylor got hit by Iziane in an ugly collision as both were fighting for a loose ball. She apparently had a groin injury and aggravated it. Also, Kristi Harrower tried to go strong to the basket to avoid a meaningless shot clock violation and ended up twisting her ankle. As the Opals celebrated at midcourt, Kristi sat down below the basket crying. The other players didn't realize she was hurt, but everybody was concerned afterwards. Kristi left the court carried by the trainers and didn't participate in the wild celebration that ensued. It was sad to see the fans leaving the arena before the game ended. They had given up on the team, but it was the team who gave up on themselves first. It was even sadder that Janeth played so badly in what was supposed to be her big day. I blame Barbosa for making her do something she's not apt to do. She should have said no, I can't guard Penny Taylor, give me Izi's player, but pride has a way of messing up even the most rational decisions. The Aussies weren't really mad at the insane crowd, so we had to applaud them for outplaying us. As they were entering the player's tunnel, I got up and applauded them. LJ looked up and acknowledged my section. Better leave with a good impression, right?
All that is left now is a futile game against the fallen almighty. That might appeal to the fans as the Americans sped up their way up everybody's shit list after last night, but I expect a blowout of epic proportions. And then I'm curious as to what the Americans' reaction will be. Will they be happy, will they be pissed off at the Brazilians?
My magic horn didn't work this time, but I wasn't done for the day anyway.
Nevertheless, it was so much fun being part of this; I can't begin to describe it. The whole college reunion thing was the icing on the cake. Well, maybe I will write about it.

Today was gonna be the day but they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow realized what you’re not to do