Canada upward curve, Torrens v Meesseman duel headline #FIBAWWC 2018 draw's top 10 talking points

TENERIFE (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - Tuesday's draw for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife has thrown up so many exciting talking points.

Here is a selection of what promises to be the biggest women's basketball event of the calendar year.

Can Canada continue upward curve and deal with clear and present Group A danger?

The rise and rise of Canada in recent times has been terrific, but will they show their true potential and teeth in a global tournament and get a podium finish? They had some significant retirees after Rio 2016, but with a nice depth of rising stars, they must now push to win Group A. Greece, France and Korea all pose significant early challenges. Four years ago, they finished a positive fifth, but with a 4-3 record. Surely the two-time reigning Americas champions are now an even better team than that? Plus, they have unfinished business with France from Rio.

The all-UMMC Meesseman and Torrens match-up

In terms of early player duels in the Group Phase, it doesn't get much better than UMMC Ekaterinburg colleagues and two of the biggest stars in the women's game leading their respective countries. Belgium will be hugely excited by the challenge and will look to Emma Meesseman to shine, while home favorites Spain will expect their EuroBasket Women 2017 MVP Alba Torrens to push for another accolade. 

Global powers going head-to-head

They are both global powers off the court and even if defending champions USA can claim unquestionable superiority on the hardwood, can China at least push their rivals close in Group D? After all, many of the Chinese players will get to go up against their club team-mates, with the likes of Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, all having been headline stars in the WCBA. In Rio it was one-way traffic, but can China at least stay competitive this time around? There is also the alluring prospect of the legendary Dawn Staley's first tournament game at the helm of USA too!

Where is the Group of Death?

For the first time in memory at a major tournament, you could make a strong case that there isn't a Group of Death. But that's a beautiful thing since, on paper, all of the big guns have the chance to reach the Final Phase. It is a perfectly balanced draw. Group A is the closest thing to a Group of Death we can offer, since in theory, there is not a whole lot between Canada, France, Greece and Korea.

Time for Turkey to take early revenge for home humiliation

Four years ago, Turkey were competing in the tournament for the first time and had the additional honor of doing so as hosts. However, there was a crushing disappointment as they reached the 3rd-Place Game and ended up missing out on the final step on the podium after being subjected to a 74-44 home humiliation by Australia in front of a big Istanbul crowd. The Opals then beat them again, albeit in a tight one, at the 2016 Olympics!

Africa ready to put themselves back on the Women’s Basketball World Cup Map

After African nations came up short four years ago when they didn't manage to record a win - Mozambique and Angola both finished with 0-3 marks - the hopes will be high that Nigeria in particular can fly the flag again for the continent. They face Argentina and that is a match-up that many will have penciled in as a great opportunity to put Africa back on the map. However, Senegal might be cursing their luck in getting USA, China and Latvia which could prove tough.

All eyes on Japan - will they cross over with China?

At the last Women's World Cup, Japan didn't make it past the Group Phase after going 0-3 in Ankara. They were dreadful. Since that time, they have turned things around, winning two more Asian titles and posting a nice return to the Olympics. Drawn alongside hosts Spain, Belgium and Puerto Rico in Group C, they don't have to worry too much about the size issue under the basket which sometimes hinders them. Plus, in whatever finishing order, whether it be second or third in their Group, they could end up meeting China in the Quarter-Final Qualification. What an enticing prospect!

Will we get an opening day upset?

Everyone loves an underdog causing a big upset and especially on the opening day of what is a truly huge event for the women's game. Will any be forthcoming? Perhaps Argentina can take down Turkey? In the past two decades, Argentina only have two wins against European opposition, having beaten Spain and Lithuania since 1998. They could maybe make that three!

The Final frontier for France

France have a tricky opening group for a competition they have not exactly excelled in. Even if they've competed in the last three title games at EuroBasket Women, they have never played in the Final of the Women's Basketball World Cup and only finishing on the podium once - some 65 years ago at the inaugural edition. But with an array of exciting talent such as Marine Johannes, Valeriane Ayayi, Alexia Chartereau and Olivia Epoupa, is this their time? Be warned though, they will have to be on top of their game from the outset against Canada, Greece and Korea.

Can you pick the four Group winners?

The lure of finishing top of each group is significant, since you get the bonus of a direct ticket to the Quarter-Finals and an extra day of rest. So that will really suit Australia, Spain and USA, won't it? They're surely a lock, followed by a coin toss between France and Canada. Right? 

All of our talking points have been selected by our women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen. You can follow him @basketmedia365.

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