Qualified Team Focus, France: Will the hosts hop onto a podium step again?

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 shining a light on host nation France, who are the seventh highest placed nation in the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike.

How they qualified

France obviously already had their spot from the moment Paris was confirmed as the host city of this year's flagship event, although they did still show their teeth with some excellent work at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Xi'An, China.

They showed their intention to post a strong campaign in Paris after blowing away China in front of their own fans, while also making light work of getting past both Puerto Rico and New Zealand to go 3-0. 

Record at the Olympics

Appearances: 5 - 2000 (5th); 2012 (2nd); 2016 (4th); 2020 (3rd), 2024
Medals: 2 - 🥈(2012) 🥉(2020)

Last appearance 

It was smiles all around at Tokyo 2020 as France took what many deemed to be an unexpected bronze medal in the Japanese capital. They also did it despite losing two of their Group phase games against eventual Finalists, Japan and USA. But a victory against Nigeria put them through and they saw off arch rivals and neighbors Spain in the Quarter-Finals and having lost out in the Semi-Finals to Japan, they beat Serbia for a bronze medal.

The Group phase

France will be backed by incredible home support and they have been thrust into an intriguing Group which they might feel they can win if things go to plan. However, there will be little margin for error on opening night against a physical Canada who will be out to spoil the party.

They will be expected to repeat the Tokyo 2020 Group success against Nigeria and then sign off the first phase against Australia in what many feel could be a shootout for top spot and one of the top five games to watch.

France Group Phase games

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

Players to watch

The French Federation announced yesterday a 18-name roster. While France are deep and stacked, all eyes will inevitably be on box office star Marine Johannes, whose capacity to not only inspire success but also entertain like few other players in the world will be the major attraction.

France have a superb mix of experience and youth, with plenty in between. The competition is fierce, with Marine Fauthoux likely to be alongside Johannes, while the wings will be patrolled by the brilliant Gabby Williams who was MVP back in February at the Qualifying Tournament in Xi'An and Valeriane Ayayi who has been playing some of the best basketball of her career.

Frontcourt-wise, towering teenager Dominique Malonga might get to put her name up in lights and especially with the legendary Sandrine Gruda not available to have what had been penciled in as a glorious Olympic swansong. 

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, Spain, Canada and Belgium.

FIBA