Germany’s Sonja Greinacher sank a crucial two-pointer with 30 seconds remaining to secure a thrilling 17-16 victory over Spain in the women’s 3×3 gold medal game at the Paris Olympics.

Before the eccentric moment from the German in the last 30 seconds, Spain was leading the game.  Spain’s Juana Camilion sparked a 3-1 surge, putting her team ahead 15-13 with two minutes left. However, Germany’s Elisa Mevius and Marie Reichert scored back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 15 with 1:30 remaining.

Greinacher’s tiebreaking shot gave Germany a two-point lead. Although Camilion scored again for Spain with 17 seconds left, Germany’s subsequent turnover gave Spain a chance to force a tie. Nevertheless, Gracia Alonso’s last-second attempt fell short, ensuring Germany’s gold medal win.

NBA legends and royalty were in attendance to witness the thrilling women’s 3×3 gold medal game, with Dirk Nowitzki cheering on the German team, and King Felipe, supporting the Spanish team.

Nowitzki celebrated ecstatically when Sonja Greinacher made the decisive shot, raising his arms triumphantly. Juana Camilion led Spain with six points, while Gracia Alonso added five.

Third-place game

Meanwhile, Hailey Van Lith scored six points to guide the defending champion US team to a bronze medal, defeating Canada 16-13.

The presence of basketball greats and royal dignitaries added to the electric atmosphere of the Olympic competition.

After a dismal 0-3 start, the US team staged an impressive comeback, winning five consecutive games to reach the semifinals. Although they fell short against Spain in a thrilling 18-16 overtime loss earlier on Monday, they bounced back to secure a bronze medal.

In the third-place match against Canada, Dearica Hamby’s clutch basket and free throw put the US ahead 14-13 with 1:30 remaining. Cierra Burdick’s free throw with 39 seconds left sealed the 16-13 victory. While the team was pleased to take home a medal, they couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment at not repeating as champions.

Sonja Greinacher led Germany to a thrilling 16-15 victory over Canada, scoring 11 points, including the game-winner with just one second remaining. Canada’s Michelle Plouffe put her team ahead 13-11 with three consecutive points, but Greinacher responded with four straight points to regain the lead for Germany.

Katherine Plouffe then scored two baskets to tie the game at 15, setting the stage for Greinacher’s dramatic buzzer-beating shot, which sent Germany to the final.

Sandra Ygueravide played a crucial role in Spain’s semifinal victory over the US, making a key basket in overtime to secure the win. In the overtime period, where the first team to score two points wins, Ygueravide scored first, and then Rhyne Howard missed a two-pointer for the US.

Dearica Hamby was subsequently called for a foul on Ygueravide, setting up the winning free throw. Howard had put the US ahead by one point with just 13 seconds left, but Ygueravide forced overtime with a basket five seconds later, ultimately leading to Spain’s triumph.