France Women’s Basketball vs USA Women’s Basketball Preview: Can France Leverage Home Advantage to Halt Team USA’s Pursuit of an Eighth Consecutive Title?

The women’s basketball final will kick off on the evening of August 11, with host nation France facing off against the United States.

The US women’s basketball team is ranked first in the world and has a very strong lineup, primarily consisting of WNBA players. Seven out of the twelve players on their roster have prior Olympic experience, making them exceptionally well-versed. From the group stage to the finals, the US women’s team has never lost a match. During the group stage, the US team defeated Japan 102-76, Belgium 87-74, and Germany 87-68. In the quarterfinals, they beat Nigeria 88-74, and in the semifinals, they easily overcame Australia 85-64, demonstrating consistently excellent form.

The US women’s basketball team has had absolute dominance in recent Olympics, having won seven consecutive Olympic titles. Tonight, they will be striving for their eighth Olympic championship. In their last game against Australia, the US team completely dominated. They outperformed Australia in rebounds and offensive efficiency. The team shot 34 out of 68, achieving a high shooting percentage of 50%, and their three-point shooting was at 41.2%. With eleven players scoring points, the US team showcased a comprehensive offensive display. Notably, Stewart scored 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Jackie Young added 14 points and 5 assists, including contributions from Cooper and Wilson. This depth stems from the fact that all their players are key WNBA figures, boasting formidable strength.

In contrast, the French women’s basketball team, as hosts, did not have as smooth a journey to the finals, almost being upset by Belgium in the semifinals. In the group stage, the French team advanced to the quarterfinals with two wins and one loss. They beat Canada 75-54 and Nigeria 75-54, but lost to Australia 72-79 in their final match. In the quarterfinals, France defeated a formidable German team 84-71. In the semifinal, the two teams went into overtime, with France narrowly defeating Belgium. Across five games, Williams was the most consistent player for France, being the only player to score in double digits in every game, averaging 16 points per game.

In the quarterfinal against Germany, France won three quarters. Despite a strong push by Germany in the final quarter, it didn’t affect the outcome much, and the French team won relatively comfortably. However, France struggled with rebounding and fouls, allowing Germany to grab 11 more rebounds. Fortunately, Germany’s overall shooting percentage was low, and France relied on outside three-point shooting to secure the victory. Notably, France led 8-0 in blocks. Although four German players scored in double digits, Sabally’s 20 points and 13 rebounds came with just three successful shots out of thirteen. On the French side, Johannes came off the bench to hit five three-pointers and score a game-high 24 points. Williams maintained her steady performance with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Chatro contributed 10 points. All French players scored, which is their offensive trump card, making it difficult for opponents to defend against.

In their last game, the French team did not demonstrate control, trading leads with Belgium. In the final quarter, France once led by six points, but in the closing seconds, Belgium made a three-point play and a three-pointer, forcing overtime. Overtime became Williams’ moment to shine, scoring nine points to help her team advance. The game was incredibly close, with Belgium often holding the upper hand. Johannes, who performed well against Germany, struggled, hitting only one out of ten shots for six points. Notably, France’s shooting percentage was only 29.9% in this game. More attempts ultimately secured their win, but whether they can maintain this form in the final remains to be seen.

In past encounters, the US women’s team has held a clear advantage, with France failing to secure a win in their last six meetings. Facing a highly motivated US team, can France leverage their home court advantage to keep the suspense alive until the end? We’ll have to wait and see!

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