Zhang Zhiting (bottom) of China goes for a layup during the 3x3 basketball women's pool round match between China and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China lost to the United States twice in the final round of the pool stage and the following play-in game in the women's 3x3 basketball at the Paris Olympic Games on Saturday and failed to advance to the semifinals.

Despite losing to the U.S. 14-12 in the final round of the pool stage, the Chinese team still made it to the playoffs, but they lost to the U.S. in the playoffs again, at 21-13.

After the two games, Xu Jiamin, the head coach of the team, said that the games revealed their shortcomings in agility, which was seized upon by their competitors and resulting in a regrettable defeat.

"However, the players gave it all and displayed tenacious spirit in the games," she added.

The 3x3 basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics features 8 teams each in the men's and women's categories. According to the regulation, teams compete in a pool round, with the top two teams directly advancing to the semi-finals. The third to sixth-ranked teams compete in play-in games to determine the remaining two semifinal spots.

In the other play-in game, Canada cruised past Australia 21-10 to reach the semifinals.

Germany and Spain ranked top two in the pool stage and advanced to the semifinals directly.