France women still on course for Brazil

PARIS (2016 Rio Olympics) - There is no such thing as a free pass when it comes to qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Games. France's women sure have the look of a team that is headed to Brazil next summer, though.

So what if Les Bleues ran into a hot Serbia this summer and did not win the EuroBasket Women, which would have clinched direct qualification. They can still make it to Rio via the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

Remember the words of coach Valerie Garnier immediately after their 76-68 defeat to the Serbians in the EuroBasket Women Final?

"We lost," she said, "but the aim stays the same - to go to Rio."

Ditto for France's star guard, Celine Dumerc, the top player at the 2012 Olympics when France went on their incredible run to the Final before falling to the United States.

"I'm already focused on the (FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying) tournament, to be in Rio," she said after the loss to Serbia.

This wasn't a bad year for France. They did take care of some of their business. They beat their nemesis, Spain, in the Semi-Finals.

France (FRA) celebrated after beating Spain in the Semi-Finals at EuroBasket Women 2015

When it comes to the Olympics, it all boils down to one thing. Sure, the French had wanted to win the EuroBasket Women. But that setback did not derail them. Patrick Beesley, the director of the French national teams, made that very clear.

The team has assured itself of participation in the Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. This was the goal set by the federation and it was reached. Next year, we have all the cards in hand to qualify for the Games. - Beesley

There is plenty of evidence that strongly suggests France will be in Rio. For starters, this is a team that has been a major factor in international basketball since it won the EuroBasket Women 2009 in Poland. They followed that with podium finishes at the next three EuroBaskets Women, including runners-up on the last two occasions. There was also the spine-tingling run of 2012, which they were allowed to take because they made it through that year's WOQT in Ankara.

This national team still has three powerhouse players that reached the Final of the London Games in Dumerc, Endene Miyem and Sandrine Gruda. And the French women showed this summer they remain one of the best teams in the sport.

Furthermore, the French got rid of their summer hangover last month by winning a couple of qualifying games for the EuroBasket Women 2017. The French played before 3,800 fans in Bourges and won convincingly over Estonia, 69-41. Next, they travelled north to Amsterdam and defeated the Netherlands, 76-52. These games allowed the French players to gather again and get the feel-good factor back.

FIBA