Everything you need to know about the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Tokyo

99 Monica Okoye (JPN), 15 Nako Motohashi (JPN), 12 Naho Miyoshi (JPN)

24/07/2021

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Everything you need to know about the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Tokyo

TOKYO (Japan) - It's time for the FIBA Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament to finally tip-off! Here is everything you need to know about the event in Tokyo, including a group-by-group analysis.

What is needed to win gold, what else is at stake?

The tournament takes place between July 26 and August 8, with a total of 12 nations competing in three groups and trying to make it to the knockout stages. Up until 2016, there used to be two groups of six teams. The change to three groups also means that the nation that gets to take the title will now do so by playing six, rather than eight, games. Meanwhile, the Quarter-Finals pairings will be determined by a draw during the tournament. Check out the Competition System.

Additionally, the Olympic champions will also secure a direct spot for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and join tournament hosts, Australia. Check out the Second Volume of the Power Rankings to see who is in the running for Olympic gold!

Reigning champions USA have dominated the competition during the past couple of decades.

What is the history of the FIBA Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament?

This is the 12th edition of the prestigious competition which has been in existence since 1976. Only three different nations have ever celebrated a title triumph, with the USA having won 8 titles and a staggering 6 in a row between 1996 and 2016. The only other winners are the Commonwealth of Independent States during 1992 in Barcelona and the Soviet Union who won the first two editions during 1976 and 1980 in Montreal and Moscow respectively. You can check out the All-Time Medalists here.

Where can I follow the action?

Games will be shown on television and online depending on the country where you live and which broadcasters have purchased the rights. You can follow all the latest updates across all FIBA channels including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - also using #Tokyo2020 #Basketball We also have an Olympic Basketball LIVE BLOG running throughout the tournament.

To watch on television, here is the Olympic basketball broadcasters info.

Group A - Canada, Korea, Serbia, Spain

Favorites: Canada went undefeated at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Ostend last year. Spain made a historic first Final in Rio five years ago. It's Serbia, though, who are probably the favorites as they were bronze medalists at the last Games in Rio and were just crowned FIBA Women's EuroBasket champions. But in reality, there is not a lot between all three of these teams.

Underdog: Korea last won a game at the Olympics back in 2008 during the Beijing Games. They have also not won at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup since 2010, which highlights why they have a big challenge ahead.

Key Game(s): Canada v Spain on the last day of the Group Phase (Sunday Aug 01) could be a make or break for both teams unless they can each take down Serbia before that point.

Five To Watch: Alba Torrens (ESP), Sonja Vasic (SRB), Yvonne Anderson (SRB), Natalie Achonwa (CAN), Ji Su Park (KOR),

Young Gun(s): Raquel Carrra (ESP), Angela Dugalic (SRB)

FIBA WORLD RANKING, PRESENTED BY NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	ZONE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
3.	Spain	1.	ESP	690.5
4.	Canada	2.	CAN	649.3
8.	Serbia	5.	SRB	585.0
19.	Korea	4.	KOR	321.0

Group B - France, Japan, Nigeria, USA

Favorites: It's the USA of course. While there was a big surprise during preparation when Dawn Staley and her team lost two games against the WNBA All-Stars and Australia, the defending champions are still expected to move out of this group as winners. This simply comes down to their depth, quality and experience.

Underdog: Nigeria had big prep losses and will also be without the towering presence of their rebunding machine Evelyn Akhator, who misses out with an injury.

Key Game(s): If things go to the most commonly predicted scripts and USA finish in pole position and Nigeria in fourth, then the clash between France and Japan looks hugely significant on Tuesday July 27.

Five To Watch: Breanna Stewart (USA), Nako Motohashi (JPN), Ezinne Kalu (NGR), Marine Johannes (FRA), Diana Taurasi (USA)

Young Gun(s): Marine Fauthoux (FRA), Iliana Rupert (FRA)

FIBA WORLD RANKING, PRESENTED BY NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	ZONE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS	+/- RANK *
1.	USA	1.	USA	832.9	0
5.	France	2.	FRA	639.4	0
10.	Japan	3.	JPN	540.1	0
17.	Nigeria	1.	NGR	361.6	-3

Group C - Australia, Belgium, China, Puerto Rico

Favorites: There isn't one. It looks on paper at least like there is very little, if anything, to choose between Australia, Belgium and China, who all have eyes on a potential podium finish. Meanwhile Belgium and Emma Meesseman will be playing in their first-ever Olympics.

Underdog: Puerto Rico by some distance as they also prepare to make a debut at the event.

Key Game(s): This Group will surely hinge on the mini-group within the group between Australia, Belgium and China. So all three games involving those teams means this could be a titanic and exciting battle for position and Group C supremacy.

Five To Watch: Emma Meesseman (BEL), Julie Allemand (BEL), Xu Han (CHN), Bec Allen (AUS), Jennifer O'Neill (PUR)

Young Gun(s): Billie Massey (BEL)