TOKYO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- With 4 points and 6 assists, Li Yuan's "life and death battle" is not perfect for the first time in his life to participate in the Olympic Games.
On August 4, the Chinese players were after the game. On the same day, in the women's basketball quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Chinese team lost to Serbia 70-77 and missed the semifinals. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Yongmin
Born in 2000, Li Yuan is the youngest player in the Chinese women's basketball team, but in the game against Serbia for the final four places, she has the full trust of coach Xu Limin, playing more than 30 minutes, only 13 seconds less than captain Shao Ting.
In the basketball court where the elderly are like a forest, Li Yuan, who is less than one meter and seven meters tall, can stand on his feet, relying on speed, aura and lifeless hard work. In the first half, the Chinese team attacked poorly, and she relied on her speed to hit the box several times, creating a killing injury to help the team tighten the score.
Serbian captain Yelena Brooks said after the game: "You can see the progress of the Chinese team over the years, their defenders are really fast, we have to balance them to limit their positions. ”
At the start of the final quarter, the Chinese team had a nine-point advantage, but they failed to turn it into a victory. In just two and a half minutes, the opponent made three steals and played a 12-0 rebound. The situation on the field suddenly changed, Li Yuan and other young players did not seem to have much to do, or the captain Shao Ting counterattacked and stabilized the team's position.
In this campaign, Shao Ting scored a team-high 17 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, giving a good lesson to the slightly green Li Yuan. "There are many places that need to be improved, and many details need to be watched more videos and then summarized and improved." Li Yuan said in retrospect after the game.
Chinese player Shao Ting (front right) lays on a layup during the match on Aug. 4. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Yongmin
Li Yuan said that he is only a small part of this team, and everyone's selfless dedication comes together to form the fighting spirit of the Chinese women's basketball team. "We're a young team, no matter which opponent we play, we've done a good job of that."
Playing with a Serbian team whose average age is close to 30 years old, at a crucial moment, you can see the old spicy of this European champion. The experience of the defenders in the Olympic arena is extremely demanding, and as the "brain" of the team, the defenders have played a key role in combing the attack and controlling the rhythm of the game. In the Olympic arena, you can see a lot of "older and more demon" defenders, whether it is Argentina's Campazzo or Spain's Rubio, are good defenders "raised" in a large number of games.
This may explain why Xu Limin is willing to give Li Yuan so much playing time in such a crucial game, he sees the potential and future in her.
On August 4, Chinese coach Xu Limin prepared before the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pan Yulong
All the past is the prologue. This Chinese women's basketball team is growing, with an average age of only 25 years old, young and energetic, and energetic. Xu Limin said that there is hope in this Chinese women's basketball team, and I believe that they will one day stand on the podium. Three years later, at the Paris Olympics, Li Yuan will also be more mature. "This is something you need to go through in the process of growing up, and continue to hone when you go back." Li Yuan said very firmly.
After the game, the girls of the Chinese women's basketball team gathered in a circle to encourage each other. "Director Xu told us that we can win and lose, let us raise our heads." Li Yuan said.
Editors: Wang Hengzhi, Wu Bowen, Zhao Jiantong, Zhang Yueyuan (Intern)
Produced by the Xinhua News Agency's Tokyo Olympic Games Reporting Group