Flash back

2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament Women: Athens Greece

Gold: United States of America
Silver: Australia
Bronze: Russia

The USA won the gold medal in the Women's tournament and maintained their unbeaten run that started with the Bronze Medal Match in Seoul, bringing its total number of consecutive victories to 25.

The United States was the uncontested power in the Women's Tournament, finishing at a perfect 8-0.

High scoring was also the key to success - the Women's teams exceeded the 100-point mark three times, with Brazil setting an Olympic record with 128 points against Japan, and the 90-point mark 8 times.

The highest-scoring team was the USA with 84.0 ppg.

The Women's Tournament top scorer, Lauren JACKSON of Australia (22.9 points per game), is far from her own curtain call.

The 23-year-old forward/center, arguably the best player in the world at this time, was in the mind of many the MVP of the tournament, but her below-par performance in the final due to the excellent defensive work of Lisa LESLIE gave her opponent the most votes by media representatives.

The Women's one-night heroin was Evanthia MALTSI of Greece, who scored 33 against Japan.



2000 Olympic Basketball Tournament Women: Sydney, Australia

Gold: United States of America
Silver: Australia
Bronze: Brazil

The three women's teams which had won the medals in Atlanta were back on the podium in Sydney.

There was much talk of Australia being the favoured team with the home advantage, and a combination of youth (Lauren Jackson) and experience (Michelle Timms, Sandy Brondello) making for a great basketball team.

However, the USA was too strong and repeated its triumph of 1996 with a victory over the hosts (76-54) to celebrate a fourth Olympic victory.

The bronze went to Brazil after an overtime thriller against South Korea (84 73).

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