This is the first time that the Netherlands has won an Olympic medal in 3×3 basketball. The sport will be on the programme for the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Worthy de Jong led the Dutch team to gold in overtime. She had forced overtime with a crucial double with just seconds left on the clock. “I didn’t know at all that it was going in,” said De Jong of the moment the Dutch team won gold. “I left it to the gods. This is definitely the best shot of my life, because it gave me gold. So until I win gold again, this is the best.”
National team coach Aron Roijé was delirious after winning the gold medal. ‘I went completely crazy and jumped over the fence. This was not normal. It was such an exciting match that it should have been like this. We were saved by a miracle,’ said Roijé shortly after the final.
The national coach praised De Jong. “He is a very special player and very few lads can do what he can do. He can snake his way through defences. He is a tremendous athlete and personality. Worthy has taken us to the next level in recent years.”
Chef de mission Pieter van den Hoogenband couldn’t believe his eyes during the sensational finale, writing on Instagram after the match: “Unbelievable. What heroes!