The French women created a big gap in the second quarter, and won comfortably (73-54) on Monday in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
Article written by Théo Gicquel – special correspondent in Villeneuve-d’Ascq
France Télévisions – Sports Editorial
Published on 07/29/2024 7:01 p.m.
Reading time: 1 min Valériane Ayayi and Marième Badiane against Canada during the first round of the Olympic Games, July 29, 2024. (SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP)
Very serious. The French team got off to a perfect start to the Olympic Games by winning comfortably against Canada (73-54) on Monday, July 29 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq (Nord). Very concerned from the start, the Bleues stifled the Canadians, who held their own for a quarter. The French take the lead in Group B ahead of Nigeria, who had beaten Australia earlier (75-62).
Since finding his backbone at the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in China in February, coach Jean-Aimé Toupane has built his team on defense and versatility. He had a superb example of this in the second quarter, where Les Bleues built their success.
After a balanced first quarter (18-15), the Blues inflicted a stinging 21-0 on the Canadians, who had to wait more than… eight minutes to score. Interceptions, rebound battles, counterattacks: the long segments of the French were an ordeal for their opponents, who only scored two points in the quarter (23-2).
Led by 18 points at half-time, with a glaring lack of shooting ability (32% shooting in the match) and not taking much care of the ball, The maple leaf players tried to timidly break down the door in the second period. But France easily closed it, thanks in particular to the great defensive work of Marième Badiane and Alexia Chery inside.
In the wake of the two backs Gabby Williams (20 points) and Marine Johannès (7 points), the French team showed few weak points against the 5th nation in the Fiba ranking, where only Shay Colley swam (11 points). An impeccable copy therefore, even more so than that of their male counterparts on Saturday, in an atmosphere that was once again electric.
The French women, undefeated in their five preparation matches, have therefore perfectly maintained the pace to start the competition. They will cross swords with Nigeria on Thursday (5:15 p.m.) and Australia on Sunday (9 p.m.) but have already sent a message: they are here for the Olympic medal.
2024-07-29 17:01:53
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