A superb final bouquet. Australia largely beat Canada (95-65) on Saturday in Sydney to take the bronze medal of the Women’s World Cup and thus offer a beautiful exit to its legend Lauren Jackson, applauded by her teammates and the public. Jackson, who at 41 and after nine years of absence had made her return to the “Opals” for this World Cup at home, received a standing ovation from the nearly 10,000 spectators in the Superdome when she was replaced a few minutes from the end.
She then warmly embraced her coach, Sandy Brondello, and her teammates, who carried her in triumph to the middle of the floor once the game was over. “To finish (my career) in front of this incredible audience, I couldn’t have dreamed of better. There has never been anything more important than wearing the Australian jersey“said Jackson at a press conference, his eyes reddened with emotion. The interior, who signed her best performance against the Canadians (30 pts, and 7 rebounds) in this World Cup where she struggled to keep up, won his fourth medal in the competition (title in 2006, 3rd place in 1998, 2002 and 2022).
“Russian mountains”
Jackson, one of the greatest players in history, also has four Olympic medals (silver in 2000, 2004 and 2008, bronze in 2012) and two WNBA titles (2004 and 2010 with the Seattle Storm), including she was voted MVP and regular season leading scorer three times (2003, 2007 and 2010 each time). “These past 10 months (since announcing his return) have been the most amazing of my life. Russian mountains. My body was in bad shape, I had to work hard, make sacrifices with my family, my childrenadded Jackson, “happy to return to her family obligations because my body says stop“.
She also thanked her teammates and Brondello for “believed in“She. Sitting next to her, the coach also had tears in her eyes when she talked about her former teammate in selection and in Seattle. “The way she came back at 41… She was an inspiration to me and the team. I selected her on merit, and obviously it was a good idea.Brondello pointed out.I have never seen a player with such a strong mind. She was a great leader. Girls love it” she greeted.
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World Cup (W)
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