Paris Olympics basketball women's bronze medal match: Date, time, teams, how to watch and more

By Michael Macasero

Modified Aug 10, 2024 05:54 GMT

The 2024 Paris Olympics basketball women’s bronze medal match will feature Australia against Belgium. The Opals fell to the juggernaut Team USA 85-64, while Belgium suffered a tightly-contested 81-75 overtime loss to host France. A win by the Aussies will give them their first podium finish since earning the bronze 12 years ago when they hosted the event.

Meanwhile, the Belgians are on track to finish with a medal for the first time since they started competing in women’s basketball in 1976. To have a chance of doing that, they’d have to get over the painful extra period loss to the French. The incredible Emma Meeseman will again lead them in the battle for bronze on Sunday.

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Paris Olympics basketball women's bronze medal game details

Teams: Australia vs. Belgium

Date: August 11, 2024

Time: 5:30 AM EST [11:30 AM local time]

Venue: Bercy Arena [Paris, France]

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Australia vs Belgium: How to watch

Courtside 1891, the official streaming partner of the 2024 Paris Olympics, will cover the game. A subscription is needed to catch the action via the platform. NBCOlympics.com, Peacock and Fubo are alternatives.

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Australia vs Belgium: Team rosters

Australia lineup

Player	Position
Jade Melbourne	G
Kristy Wallace	PG
Steph Talbot	SF
Tess Madgen	G
Alanna Smith	F
Ezi Magbegor	PF
Marianna Tolo	C
Cayla George	F
Amy Atwell	SF
Isobel Borlasse	G
Lauren Jackson	C
Sami Whitcomb	G

Belgium lineup

Player	Position
Elise Ramette	PG
Antonia Delaere	SF
Laure Resimont	SF
Emma Meesseman	PF
Kyara Linskens	C
Nastja Claessens	PF
Bethy Mununga	SF
Becky Massey	C
Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka	SF
Billie Massey	C
Julie Vanloo	PG
Ine Joris	C

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Paris Olympics basketball women's bronze medal game key matchups

Sami Whitcomb vs Julie Vanloo

Sami Whitcomb has arguably been Australia’s best player in the Paris Olympics. The Seattle Storm guard was on top of Team USA’s game plan in the semi-finals. Once Whitcomb struggled to orchestrate and score, the Opals didn’t have much of a chance of pulling an upset against the Americans.

Whitcomb finished with five points on 2-for-9 shooting, including 1-for-7 from deep versus Team USA. Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and the perimeter players of the Americans made it tough for her to receive the ball.

Sami Whitcomb will not face the same physical guards against Belgium, but Julie Vanloo will also try to make her work for everything. Vanloo will also be a problem on offense, so Whitcomb will have to play well on both ends.

The winner of the duel could carry her team to the bronze in the Paris Olympics women’s basketball.

Ezi Magbegor vs Emma Meeseman

Ezi Magbegor is one of the best defensive players in women’s basketball. She will take on Belgium's Emma Meeseman, the Olympics’ leading scorer.

Magbegor struggled against the stacked Team USA who had Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Brittney Griner in the semis. She will not have the same overwhelming odds against her when Australia faces Belgium.

Meeseman might not be as physically dominating as the Americans or as popular as them but she is an MVP candidate in Paris. She is doing it all for Belgium, averaging 23.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.

The Belgians will have a big chance of winning bronze in the Paris Olympics if Meeseman plays as expected.