France take down rival Canada to win FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Clermont-Ferrand Stop 2024

CLERMONT-FERRAND (France) - Powerhouse France continued their home dominance after taking down rival Canada to win the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Clermont-Ferrand Stop on June 15. 

Here's what happened. 

The winner: France 

Having also recently won in Marseille,  France are establishing a total stranglehold at home as they relish playing in front of their passionate fans. 

They lived up to the favoritism tag with a  brilliant unbeaten campaign although there were scares along the way. 

The No.2 seed battled past compatriots Clermont-Ferrand (FRA) on Day One before surviving a huge rally from emerging power Azerbaijan in the quarters.

Superstar Laetitia Guapo calmly sunk the free-throw to finally put the game away as France then impressively took care of business to comfortably beat Germany and Canada. 

It was a team effort from the French with Guapo draining buckets, while Myriam Djekoundade submitted an electrifying performance to take home the MVP.

The runner-up: Canada 

Canada fell short of a W, but the top seed again showed why they are such a powerhouse nation. 

The Canadians, who are headed to the Paris Olympics, remain such a tough team to beat when the game is on the line. Canada recorded tough wins over China U24, Puerto Rico in OT and European champs Netherlands en route to the final.

You guessed it - Katherine Plouffe absolutely dominated the paint and she finished the tournament No.1 in player-value (41.7).

She didn't have her sister Michelle by her side, but Paige Crozon was on fire over the two days to finish top in points (33). 

The Final: France 21-Canada 12

There was a lot of hype and anticipation over a contest between heavyweight nations sharing a storied history. 

But the latest chapter in the rivalry was more one-sided than expected with the French inspired by their fans to produce a masterpiece.

That did not appear likely when Canada stormed to an early lead with superstar Katherine Plouffe scoring three points in a row. 

France rallied with Myriam Djekoundade finishing a gorgeous layup as the teams traded buckets. 

There was nothing between them at the halfway point as another classic between the countries looked likely.

But with the title on the line it was time for French superhero Laetitia Guapo to step up and she went on a heater with five quick points to flip the game on its head.  

France were on a roll and could not be stopped as Hortense Limouzin took over with the last four points, including a pretty layup to finish the home team's stellar tournament in style. 

Final Standings:
1. France
2. Canada
3. Netherlands
4. Germany 
5. Azerbaijan 

Next Stop: The W Series will journey to the Orleans Stop on June 20-21.

FIBA