Five must-watch games at the Women's Tournament Paris 2024

MIES (Switzerland) - The draw for the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 has been completed and the mouth-watering matchups for the Group Phase games are now known. 

This means we can start counting down to some of the most exciting games to look forward to before the competition tips off in July.

 

Here are five must-watch games that are definitely worth clearing your schedule for!

   USA vs Japan  

Let's start this hype right now because Paris 2024 is going to live up to it and not least because of an absolutely awesome Group C. Topping the list is a replay of the last Olympic game to be played - namely the Tokyo 2020 Final between eventual champions USA and host nation Japan who claimed that breathtaking first silver medal.

At the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Sopron, Japan looked like they might be able to recapture some of that breathless play from three years ago, while USA will turn up with all of their big-hitters in pursuit of yet another title, including the likes of Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. 

 France vs Australia  

This looks like being the showdown for likely supremacy in Group B and who can remember that opening night at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney? France were without Marine Johannes and stunned host nation Australia with a victory, although the home side recovered to ride their way to that memorable bronze. 

Now the shoe might be on the other foot as the Opals try to spoil the party in Paris - although this time, the electrifying Johannes who excelled at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in China will hopefully be back for France. Both teams are deep and dripping with options, so it should be a special game. 

  USA vs Belgium 

The biggest gasp might just have come when everyone realized we will be treated to another potential classic between these two nations who served up an absolute treat at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Antwerp.

A record Belgian crowd witnessed a nail-biter that was only decided by a Breanna Stewart buzzer-beater and it was the kind of dramatic conclusion that every epic encounter needs. There was intensity, controversy, and endless amounts of amazing plays and with Emma Meesseman leading the way for the Cats, a big upset can never be discounted.

 Spain vs China 

 

The FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament on home soil tasted a little bittersweet for China after being blown out in front of their home fans so brutally by France. Behind the smiles at the end will be a steely determination to show why they played in the Final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and then went on to be crowned FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 champions. The presence of Yueri Li and Xu Han is always a joy for any fans.

Meanwhile, Spain will surely battle it out for pole position in Group A with China having had to seriously sweat on their participation in Paris. They were also not at their best in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024, but will relish coming back to the global stage after missing out on the Worlds in Sydney two years ago. 

 Japan vs Belgium 

A game for the ages and not just one of the best the women's game has ever seen, but one of the all-time great Olympic encounters. the matchup between these two at Tokyo 2020 was off the charts completely in terms of entertainment.  Phenomenal in every single way, Japan eventually took an absorbing 86-85 Quarter-Finals success.

Belgium's players were heartbroken but recovered to take a historic FIBA Women's EuroBasket title and now there is talk of a maiden Olympics medal. Japan might have peaked at Tokyo but still play such compelling basketball and it is that entertaining brand of both nations that make this arguably THE must-watch game of the Group phase.  

Which game are you looking forward to watching the most?

FIBA