PARIS (France) - France continue to dream of glory on home soil as they head into the Quarter-Finals of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024, but new kids on the block Germany are out to make a noise of their own.
The rookies have made waves on their debut at the Games, collecting two wins - including the impressive scalp of Belgium.
France are entering the knockout phase in the unexpected position of responding to their defeat against Australia.
They will have passionate home support, but will they bounce back, or could Germany spoil the mood altogether with another historic win?
Key matchup
French forwards vs Satou Sabally
Sabally has had a stellar tournament and if Germany move past France in this one, she would be a genuine All-Star Five and MVP contender. Her ability to not only produce inside but also use her extended shooting range has been what Germany's campaign has been built on.
France can wear her down with plenty of options in terms of guarding her - depending on how they want to go - from the smaller and more mobile Gabby Williams, to Janelle Salaun, to Marieme Badiane or Alexia Chery. How that assignment is allocated and met could be a central factor as to whether France win this game.
X-factors
Will Nyara Sabally suit up and can France re-discover their defensive mojo?
Sustaining a head injury in their historic opening day success against Belgium, forward Nyara Sabally has not been seen on the court since for Germany. She showed in the time she was on the court how impactful she can be and if she is healthy enough to face France it would give them a huge lift. Not least because it extends Germany's rotation and her size would help nullify a physical French team.
There was a visible drop-off in the defense of France against Australia. Yes, the Opals used their experience to counteract it, but the ball pressure, help-side and general intensity were not at the level of their first two games. Can they re-discover that defensive verve?
Stats don't lie
Germany are currently the best three-point shooting team in the competition having dropped 38.7 percent of their shots from behind the arc.
France use the depth of their bench and have averaged a huge 35.3 points per game from that source compared to 11.7 for Germany.
Past matchups
It's a game with no history at the Olympics with it being Germany's first ride. However, this one is a repeat of the opening Group phase game at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 which France won 58-50 - although Germany didn't have big-hitters Satou Sabally, Nyara Sabally or Alexis Peterson.
Prior to this, you had to rewind all the way to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2005 when France coasted to a 79-48 success in a lineup that includes current France Team Manager, Celine Dumerc.
FIBA