Qualified Team Focus, Canada: Taking an unexpected second chance

MIES (Switzerland) - The Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 lineup is now known and with the game schedule also confirmed, we're checking out the 12 nations bidding for glory at Paris 2024.

We're now looking at Canada who are the fifth highest placed nation in the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike.

How they qualified

It proved to be the ultimate roller-coaster ride for Canada at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron, Hungary. They started off brilliantly by taking down Hungary in emphatic fashion, but then lost against Spain and Japan which left their Olympic destiny out of their hands.

They needed the already qualified Spain to beat hosts Hungary in the last game of the tournament. Hungary stormed into a huge lead and it looked like Canada's dreams were in ruins. It was absolute torture to watch. However, out of nowhere, Spain came back from a 22-point deficit to take a 73-72 success - therefore putting Canada back on the plane to Paris.

Record at the Olympics

Appearances: 8 - 1976 (6th); 1984 (4th); 1996 (11th); 2000 (10th); 2012 (8th); 2016 (7th); 2020 (9th); 2020
Medals: 0

Last appearance 

It just didn't happen for Canada at Tokyo 2020 as they fell way short of expectations heading into the competition. Some observers felt they were capable of making a push towards the direction of the podium but they finished in 9th spot after missing the Quarter-Finals. 

Winning against Korea in their middle Group phase game was not sufficient after being squeezed out in their opener by Serbia and then being shot down in a must-win matchup against Spain. 

The Group Phase 

Drawn in Group B, it depends if your glass is half empty or half full from a Canadian perspective. Perhaps they will feel it could have been better, but it also could have been worse. They will of course be expected to beat Nigeria, but the games against France and Australia will be difficult games as both are in the front-running to collect a medal. But maybe playing the host nation on opening night might pay dividends if any nerves are in evidence. 

Canada Group Phase games

vs France (July 29)
vs Australia (August 1)
vs Nigeria (August 4)

Players to watch

Kayla Alexander was on an absolute mission in Sopron back in February and her TISSOT MVP display for Canada was a difference-maker, since without those eye-popping numbers from the forward, they were gone. The experience of Natalie Achonwa will be precious in the paint, especially since she had only just returned from maternity leave and will have more prep time ahead of Paris.

Bridget Carleton is very much the 'X-Factor' on the wings and when she fires and has the hot-hand, Canada are a different team. It will also be interesting to see if Kia Nurse comes back into the mix after missing the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 

Qualified Team Focus series

During coming weeks and months, we will continue to check out all teams ready to step out at Paris 2024 as part of our Qualified Team Focus series. You can already take a look at USA, China, Australia and Spain.

FIBA