I sit here at Starbucks in Krasnodar, Russia hiding from the icy wind outside. As holiday music fills the air around me and my mind floats back to summer time. Most specifically, it goes back to Rio De Janeiro, with the sun shining down on the palm trees that sway gently in the wind as I sit on the beach enjoying a glass of caipirinha. Sounds like a fantasy, but Rio was a place that seemed to turn fantasies into reality this past summer. This mostly in part to it being the location of the 2016 Olympics.
Oh where to even begin! Maybe with the mosquitos, or bodies washing up on shore, or the muggings happening on every corner! Or maybe not because such things were simply fiction. Rio was not infested with mosquitos, nor dead bodies, or muggers. It was actually quite the opposite. Me being a 5’5″ 125 pound young girl felt completely safe the entire time I was there. If Rio was infested with anything it was tourist! Many people from all over the world gathered for one purpose, sports.
We in particular were there to watch Ryan and the rest of the Australian nationals basketball team (the Boomers). Estimations within news papers and magazines didn’t seem to hold much confidence in the team and how they would compete. Although that did not matter, what mattered was how the team felt and that they believed they could make a run for a medal. So, on the opening day of the games, August 6th that is exactly what they did. Australia played France in the opening match. France was favored over Australia in this round, not sure if that was just hopeful thinking for Tony Parkers sake or what, but Australia made a statement during that game. That they would not go easily.
With a win under their belt the guys felt like they were off to a good start, but still were not going to get over-confident. There were still plenty of games between them and their goals. Rio may have been a vacation for many people, but if there was one thing I took away from this, it is that for those who partook in the games it was still working the entire time. Spending hours in the gym, instead of on the beach. Getting to bed early, instead of staying out late partying. They were breathing, sleeping and eating the olympics during that three weeks, where as I generally only focused on it while sitting in arena during the games. But I can’t blame them for the focus and dedication, it was amazing to witness the passion first hand.
Game two was set to be a little bit more of a challenge with the opponent being Serbia. Serbia is known to be a strong team, especially in a literal sence. The Boomers knew their competitor for the day was aggressive, so they came out with more aggression. They controlled the game from the start, thanks in part to Dellavedova dropping a quick 10 points in the first quarter. The game was tight around half, but in the fourth quarter they pulled away to win by fifteen points! The win truly showed the world that Australia was the team to beat, just in time for the Australia vs. USA game.
Now this game was going to be interesting. In part because you all know I am a born and bred American and Ryan was playing against my home team. This is not the first time we have happened upon such a situation. During Ryans’ final season at Valparaiso University they made it into the NCAA tournament and were matched up with Michigan State in the first round. Unbelievable! I bleed Green and White and here I am having to choose another team over them. Of course I supported Ryan, both times and both games were the best matches to watch. The USA was supposed to dominate in the area of basketball during the Olympics, but the Australian underdogs weren’t going to let that happen so easily. For the majority of the game it was neck-and-neck. The crowd was the most rowdy it had been, mostly because this was the best completion they had seen yet. Mills really showed up for the Boomers this game, putting up 30 points! It was possible that the USA would fall. Australia fought the good fight, but in the end walked away with a loss, but certainly nothing to be ashamed of!
The fourth game in the round was a bit anticlimactic after the previous match. Australia was facing off against China. At this point the Boomers had already guaranteed their progression to the next round. That did not stop them from absolutely annihilating China though, they were taking no chances. That was made clear with a finishing score of 93-68. With Ryans’ three-pointers lighting up the score board as he finished with 12 points.
The final game in the first round followed suit as they played Venezuela. The games at that time were more so to determine placement in the round to come. They swept Venezuela, winning by over twenty points. This sealed their fate at second place in their pool as they moved into the quarter-finals.
On day 12 of the Olympics Australia took to the court against Lithuania in the quarter-final game. Lithuania was put down by Australia like and injured animal by a veterinarian. The game couldn’t end soon enough to just put them out of their misery. The final score being 90-64, Mills came to play again this game with 24 points. The Boomers had not made it to the semi-finals in 16 years, they were making history and Australia proud.
The celebration would come to a quick halt though as the semi-final game began and the Boomers were on the court with Serbia again. Every team has an off day and this unfortunately was that day. The Boomers who had been shooting the lights out the whole tournament could not seem to buy a shot this game. It was tragic and heart breaking to watch them struggle during this game, after knowing how well they could play. With the loss of this game their dreams of the silver and gold medal was lost too. This was not the end all be all though, they had one final game against Spain for the bronze.
The final game for the boomers in the Olympics took place on the 21st of August. Boomers took the court for warm-ups trying to put the loss to Serbia behind them and go out and get what they came for. This game turned out to be the most controversial in tournament. Spain being ranked the number two team in the world could not leaving without a medal! Or this is how the temperament of the refs seemed. Yes, I know I sound bias, but if you think I am go watch the game for yourself, there is defiantly something more than fate in play during this game. The game was filled with ups and down, glorious shots, sly steals, and a single game changing call. With the seconds on the clock in single digits the refs chose the winner of the bronze medal and that was Spain. Spain was given free-throws, which allowed them to win the game by a single point. That one point broke not only a team, but a nations hope.
In reflection upon this point the amount of awe, anger and sadness within the stadium, among the Boomer fan and team was over whelming. How could they have come so far and fought so hard to not lose against a team, but a ref. Still I am confused on such how such a controversal call was made in high stakes game such as this. But there is nothing that can be done about it now! All we can do now is focus on how fantastic the Boomers did in the tournament. Focus on the teams fight and passion they presended to prove to the world they deserved to be there. To look at the fact that they are the fourth best basketball team in the world! I don’t know about you, but that is nothing to scuff at! congratulations to the Boomers on their achievements and thank you!
Life Before & After 