PARIS (France) - Clubs have been playing preparation games in the past weeks and in some cases recent months ahead of the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024.
We've been checking out the matchups, results and talking points to bring you you five takeaways ahead of the action starting for real in the Group phase on Sunday July 28.
Fans really do love their national teams
The big tournaments are amazing, but we have seen in the build-up to Paris that fans love their national teams. They will go and watch them if they get the chance - even if it is only a friendly or exhibition game.
This was evident across many of the games, but especially in Tokyo when a record crowd was in attendance to roar Japan to victory. There was also the case of USA playing Germany in a 'third country' - namely London, England.
What is going on with China?
Perhaps the biggest takeaway of all from preparation - or maybe it's better to call it one of the biggest mysteries, is the uncertain form of China. It's been less than two years since they proved themselves as a true heavyweight on the global stage, making the Final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. But now the reigning FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 champions are carrying a 2-10 preparation record.
There were some mitigations with player absence, but it has also been the scale of many defeats that is at least a concern. They were also defeated by France in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Xi'An and so that is 11 losses in this calendar year.
How will this impact them (if at all) when they take to the court for this edition of the Games?
It's been fun seeing the young guns firing
Already we have names on the radar that fans should be looking out for at this edition of the Olympics and some of them have come through the FIBA youth competitions. During the preparation games, they made themselves a no-brainer for inclusion with great contributions.
There were similarities between Dominique Malonga of France and Isobel Borlase of Australia who both played at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments earlier this year, but were not locks for inclusion. However, both have excelled during the preparation games.
Flawless France and Belgium full of confidence
Cynics might question the quality of their opposition in some cases, but overall, you have to be seriously impressed with the unbeaten records of both France and Belgium who are 5-0 and 6-0 respectively.
They were podium contenders before the preparation games even tipped off. Now it feels like their perfectly formed schedules and eye-catching wins have fuelled even more confidence that they can post stellar Olympic tournaments.
Overcooked or under cooked?
As is usually the case, it's a challenge for all nations to determine the most appropriate preparation ahead of a major global tournament. There has been a vast difference in the number of games played and it also depends on player availability too of course.
Some clubs have had an extensive preparation schedule with more than 6 games and might be deemed as at risk of being 'overcooked'. Others have only had 2-3 friendly games and might head into this competition at risk of being 'undercooked'. We will soon find out if anyone looks fatigued - or any players and team are looking rusty.
FIBA