OLYW - French team playing for Dumerc

LONDON (Olympics) - France are one of only two teams beaing able to boast a 100% record at the women's Olympic basketball tournament, the other being the USA.

A major reason for that is their little guard Celine Dumerc, who has blossomed in the first five games of the tournament. Their top scorer by some distance, Dumerc is becoming to the girls’ team what Tony Parker has been for years for the men's.

France's top scorer by some distance with 14.4 points per game, Dumerc has stepped up at key moments of games.

This includes her two three-pointers against Great Britain; the first in the final second of the fourth quarter to force overtime and the second, a few minutes later, to win the game.

Put in another solid performance against Russia on Sunday, when the French beat the then Group B leaders, EuroBasket champions and third ranked team in the world (FIBA Women's Ranking).

Isabelle Yacoubou explained that Dumerc was crucial to France's chances in the tournament.

"We need Celine to maintain this level if we want to go far. She's our best player."

Her coach Pierre Vincent was quick to put things into perspective following the game against Russia.

"Celine's got good outside shots but on the pick and roll situation, she didn't find such easy shots," he said.

"I the first part yes, but after we had difficulty when they pushed opposite on the pick and roll. Celine is really quick but she's not all the time a good finisher."

The rest of the French team plays to her strenghs, working hard on giving Dumerc a chance at outside shots.

After matching up against her, Russia's Becky Hammon has been impressed by Dumerc.

"She's having a good tournament, about as good as I have seen her play.

"She's feeling good about herself right now.

But Hammon says a lot of this is also down to France's team play.

"Both her and Edwige (Lawson-Wade) are very smart point guards, they get people in the right spots.

"They're a good team, their post players are very good. (Isabelle) Yacoubou and (Sandrine) Gruda are a handful down there plus when their guards are shooting the ball."

"You can't double them when they are shooting well from outside, hitting their threes."

France were five from nine from beyond the arc. Dumerc was two from four and is nine from 15 for the tournament.

FIBA