Can France's exciting men's 3x3 team handle home pressure at Paris Olympics?

PARIS (France) - France will be boosted by passionate fans amid capacity crowds at the historic La Concorde, but playing hosts at the Paris Olympics also creates unparalleled pressure.  

Let's take a closer look at European powerhouse France. 

FRANCE

Ranking: 4th 

Previous Olympic Appearances: Nil

Squad: Franck Seguela, Timothe Vergiat, Lucas Dussoulier, Jules Rambaut

Key Player: Franck Seguela

Flying the French flag proudly will be their talisman - Franck Seguela, who has starred internationally and for Paris on the World Tour. 

This 6ft. 7in (2m) excitement machine is the complete package and can do it all on the floor. Great handles? Check. Insane vision? Check. Shooter's touch? Check.

Seguela was part of France's bronze medal campaign at  World Cup 2022, but the 27-year-old is now setting his sights even higher at the Paris Olympics where he will be the crowd favorite. 

Qualification: France did not make the Tokyo Olympics and weren't guaranteed a ticket to Paris with their women's team getting the nod for an automatic berth. 

France had arguably the most pressure of any nation because it would have been a bitter blow if they weren't able to qualify for a home  Olympics. 

They fell short at the Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament, heightening the stakes. 

It all came down to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and France started shakily after losing to Spain in pool play, but the early setback did not dent their confidence.

France were pushed to the limit by a youthful Germany in the quarters only for Jules Rambaut to be their hero with the two-ball in OT.

With a ticket up for grabs, France appeared down and out against Mongolia trailing 19-15 only to storm back in an epic comeback to ensure they will take center stage at their home Olympics. 

Expectations: It didn't quite feel right if hoops powerhouse France weren't represented in men's 3x3 at the Paris Games.

Along with their podium finish at the World Cup 2022, France also reached the semis at last year's Europe Cup to cement themselves as a powerhouse. 

France will unleash a powerful line-up in Paris led by Seguela, who was actually overshadowed at the OQT by MVP Timothe Vergiat and assassin Jules Rambaut. 

The towering 6ft 8in (2.04m) Lucas Dussoulier is an athletic marvel and he's been in strong form on the pro circuit to add a formidable inside presence for France. 

France will have to contend with the swirling anticipation every time they step on the half-court, but if they can embrace the rowdy support then Les Bleus might be the host with the most.  

FIBA