July 25, the start of the women’s basketball competition at the Paris Olympics is drawing closer, and the FIBA website has published an analysis of the qualification prospects for Group A, which includes the Chinese team.
China is Most Highly Favored
Since reaching the final of the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup, the Chinese national team has captured the attention of virtually everyone. They went on to win the 2023 Asian Cup, with Han Xu earning MVP honors, basking in much glory. However, their performances outside of Australia (where both the World Cup and the Asian Cup were held) have not been as impressive, particularly during the Olympic qualifiers in February, where their display against France was quite surprising, at least judging by the results (the Chinese team suffered a heavy defeat against France at the time).
Now that we are in Olympic mode, the time for excuses has ended. The Chinese team needs to focus all its energy on the court, engaging every player, including key player Li Meng. While they are the most highly favored, reputations and honors do not guarantee victories. They should forget past accolades and fully commit to the upcoming matches.
Puerto Rico is the Underdog
Following their disappointing debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Puerto Rico is hoping to achieve a milestone victory this time around. This is not an unattainable dream, considering they reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s Basketball World Cup less than two years ago. Puerto Rico should be confident in their ability to apply pressure to Spain and Serbia. Their dual-core players, Grants and Hollingshed, will need more support from their teammates.
The Crucial Match: Spain vs. Serbia
Following the Tokyo Olympics, both Spain and Serbia have lost some of their top athletes, with both teams undergoing transitions. Serbia has bid farewell to core players such as Vasic, Brooks, and Krndjačić, while Spain has seen Dominguez, Palau, and others depart from the national team. Spain appears to have a slight edge over Serbia. These two teams are expected to compete for the second and third spots in the group, and the difference between these positions can be significant in the subsequent knockout rounds. The teams are well acquainted with each other, so this match promises to be very exciting.
Open Question: Is There a Possibility of Three Teams Finishing with Equal Points?
According to conventional wisdom, China is the strongest team in the group, while Puerto Rico is the weakest, with Spain and Serbia falling somewhere in between. Could unexpected outcomes disrupt the established order of Group A? If Spain manages to defeat a struggling China but then loses to Serbia, it is possible for three teams to end up with a record of two wins and one loss. Women’s basketball is inherently unpredictable, so caution is advised.