LONDON — There they were on the medal stand last night, smiling, waving to the crowd, weeping in joy.
It wasn’t the Americans, but France’s women’s basketball team. They were so overcome with emotion about winning a silver medal despite becoming French Toast last night in getting blown out by 36 points against the U.S. juggernaut. It was France’s first-ever Olympic medal in basketball.
With Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul in the seats, USA women rang up a fifth straight gold medal by trouncing France, 86-50, extending the dynasty but not really evoking any tears. It’s just how it is.
”You don’t want to be on that team that ends the streak,’’ said Candace Parker, acknowledging there’s more a sense of relief than utter joy.
Golds in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and now 2012.
“Business as usual,’’ Angel McCoughtry said. “I feel as light as a feather. Such a sense of relief. We can relax now.’’
Parker lit up the French with a spectacular 21-point, 11-rebound performance, scoring all different ways, leading out on the break, scoring on tip-ins, bagging mid-range jumpers. Parker is a reserve on this club and hadn’t taken over a game in London despite her superstar profile.
”It was the mindset, I wanted to have more energy, more effort and pace all-around,’’ Parker said. “I didn’t have to play 35 minutes on this team. We’re 12 deep. I just got to go in and play five minutes that way.’’
The women’s players hugged at midcourt at the final buzzer — joyous but not out of control. Team USA women’s team now has 41 straight Olympic victories, dating to 1992.
Meanwhile, the French’s emotions ran amok.
“We’re so happy, so much joy,” France’s Emmeline Ndongue said. “We had the whole country behind us.’’
“In way it’s a compliment that people expect this from us,’’ said Syosset’s Sue Bird, who shot 5-of-7 for 11 points and now has her third gold, dating to 2004 Athens. “What people don’t realize is just how difficult it is to be this consistent. I don’t think people realize that. That part they take for granted — to be this consistent after you have 12 practices and going against every country’s best, that is where people overlook what we do.’’
It really was a stark contrast in the way the two teams talked about the result. The women’s field is getting deeper, but is the gap really closing between the USA and its chasers?
”The gap is closing for sure,’’ Parker said. “Look across the board how many great teams are playing and who would’ve expected France to be playing for a gold medal? Hopefully people recognize that and get on board with women’s basketball.’’
USA led 37-25 at halftime with Parker going off for 15 points, making seven of nine shots from the field. The former Tennessee plays in Los Angeles now for the Sparks and seized the spotlight yesterday. She said her former coach Pat Summitt, who has Alzheimer’s, watched every game and was constantly in communication.
“It’s my first call after this [press conference],’’ Parker said.
France’s star point guard Celine Dumerc was harassed into a 2-of-10 night and scored just eight points, as legendary point guard Diana Taurasi rose to the challenge, harassing the French lefty mercilessly.
Despite the loss Dumerc was proud of France’s silver medal.
“I am so happy,” she said. “This is history.’’
Parker carried her 3-year-old daughter, Lailla, in her arms as she walked to the press area.
“One to 12, we’re so deep, we wear teams down,’’ Parker said.
But judging by the jubilation from the ecstatic French players, they didn’t seem so down at all.