LILLE (France) - France used their opening game of the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 to underline their status as potential contenders by breezing past Canada 75-54.
It was party time for the locals inside Stade Pierre Mauroy who loved their team's efforts at both ends of the floor as France made a major statement of intent.
Turning point
France locked down Canada completely in the second quarter with a record breaking period. They restricted their opponents to just a solitary basket during a stunning 23-2 period.
Game hero
Gabby Williams showed the kind of leader she is and why she could yet be the headliner for France in this tournament. It was a trademark energetic and classy start from the winger, who claimed 12 points, 8 assists and 5 steals.
Stats don't lie
The pressure France denied both on and off the ball was the main factor in the contest. It resulted in Canada committing 25 turnovers and giving up 19 points as a result.
Bottom line
France will use their phenomenal defensive capabilities and transition game to make life tough for every opponent and move in the direction of a medal.
It was the one consistent aspect during preparation for the Games - using their quickness, athleticism, aggression and all-around team smarts to overwhelm other teams. Their depth is also quite something, with 11 of the 12 players on the roster getting points.
Canada started well and it was a one-shot game at the end of the opening 10 minutes but they wilted under the heat of France's defense. Struggling to get passes to their intended targets let alone sink baskets, it was a rough night. Now they need to show the mental strength needed to bounce back.
They said
"It is always a good thing to start a competition by winning. We played a good team and we are happy to take the win. Our focus at tte start of our camp was defense and we can't only think about offense and when we have the ball. We need to be getting steals on the floor." France head coach, Jean-Aime Toupane
"We knew that the first game is always important. We knew that we had to play with a high intensity to get the win. This [strong defense] is the identity that the coach tried to give us when he came. I think that now we are reaching the point where we have to be. But this is nothing, it is only the first game." France winger, Valeriane Ayayi. "We expected this [atmosphere and intensity] going into this game when playing the home team. We knew they were going to get a lot of love from the fans." Canada forward Aaliyah Edwards. "We had a plan and in the beginning it was working and we found solutions. As soon as they got to 10 points it became difficult as they started to trap and make some threes as well. But still, they scored 71 and not 90 on us." Canada head coach, Victor Lapena.
Quick notes
- This was France’s third biggest win ever in the Olympics, right behind their 36-points win against Senegal in 2000 (75-39) and their 25-points victory against Nigeria in the last edition (87-62).
- This was Canada’s third heaviest defeat at the Olympics in the 21st century, after losses by 30 and 43 points against the USA in 2016 and 2012, respectively.
- France allowed only two points in the second quarter, the fewest ever by any team in a single quarter at the Olympics, both men and women. Only in three other games at the Olympics have France allowed fewer points than in today’s game (39 v Senegal in 2000 and Turkey in 2016; 51 v Slovakia in 2000).
- France allowed only two points in the second quarter, the fewest ever by any team in a single quarter at the Olympics, both men and women.
- Gabby Williams became only the third player to combine for 10+ points, 5+ assists and 5+ steals in a game at the Olympics, after Angel McCoughtry for the USA in 2012 and Isil Alben for Turkey in 2016. Williams is also only the fourth player to have made 5+ steals in a game at the Olympics without making a single foul (since 1980).
FIBA