One reason why each 3x3 women's team can win Olympic gold

PARIS (France) - All eight 3x3 women's teams travelling to Paris have realistic goals to win Olympic gold. 

Here is the top reason why each team can claim the biggest prize in sports. 

China: The Asian powerhouse have strong Olympic experience

China are one of only three women's teams returning from Tokyo. And they have three players with Olympic experience - more than any other team. 

China know they can handle the biggest stage of them all because Lili Wang, ZhiTing Zhang and Ji Yuan Wan were at the core of China's stunning run in Tokyo capped by an upset of France in a thriller to claim bronze.

The Asian power traditionally play at their best when the stakes have been raised, with Zhang part of China's triumph at the World Cup 2019.

And the electric Wang spearheaded China to the title at the Asia Cup 2022.

Wang has spectacularly returned to her brilliant best after suffering a serious knee injury last year as China aim to go even deeper than their thrilling ride in Tokyo. 

 

 USA: The hoops power have crazy talent

In the last three years, the mighty USA have won Olympic gold, a World Cup title and are two-time champs in the AmeriCup. 

It all means USA will enter Paris as the favorite as they seek to defend their Olympic gold.

It will be a completely different line-up compared to Tokyo for the red, white and blue, but they have plenty of 3x3 experience through OG Cierra Burdick and superstar Hayley Van Lith. 

There might be some chemistry concerns after young superstar Cameron Brink, who was MVP at World Cup 2023 and subsequently selected at No.2 in the WNBA draft, was ruled out due to a serious knee injury. 

But no team oozes talent like USA, who boast WNBA stars Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby. The towering and athletic Hamby, a teammate of Brink at Los Angeles Sparks, has lit up the WNBA this season and is in career best form. 

It all means USA will again be hard to stop. 

 

France: The hosts are unstoppable at home

The Frenchwomen will be the main attraction at Place de la Concorde, with thousands of giddy compatriots set to cheer them on at the top of their lungs. 

It should spur them to new heights, with France already proving to be utterly home strong. They've played three Stops on this season's Women's Series in France for two titles and a runner-up finish. 

The suffocating pressure of hosting can trip up some teams, but it should only inspire France - especially superstar Laetitia Guapo who always reserves her best for her beloved fans. 

 

Germany: Greinacher can inspire them to a golden run

For a team to win gold, a player is going to have to do something special that is worthy of Olympic lore. Germany, fortunately, have that type of player with Sonja Greinacher more than capable of being the best player in Paris. 

The towering 'Sunny G' has been among the very best women players for some time and was once ranked No.1. Germany's greatest moments have been when Greinacher has been totally dominant in the paint. 

The 6ft. 3in (1.9m) Greinacher led Germany to silver at Europe Cup 2021 in their best result at a major event. 

With Germany under pressure to qualify for the Olympics, Greinacher came up big  when she poured in 34 points in Debrecen to ensure her country earned a ticket to Paris. 

She's been in grand form on the Women's Series too, suggesting that Greinacher is peaking to perfection and that should fuel Germany's gold medal prospects. 

 

Canada: They have the best frontcourt in 3x3

Canada have the top three ranked players in the world and two of them happen to be twins!

You know who we're talking about. That's right, Michelle and Katherine Plouffe are the imposing frontcourt that highly successful Canada is built around. 

It's plain unfair for opponents with the Plouffe sisters mirror images on the half-court. The 6ft.3in (1.9m) giants often tower over defenders giving Canada a size advantage almost every time. 

They are averaging 12.5 ppg combined on the Women's Series and if they again simultaneously fire then Canada can absolutely win Olympic gold.

 

Spain: Guts and determination fuels them to great heights

It's often said that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's a motto that Spain might just live by because they've used heartbreak to motivate them in their quest for redemption. 

Spain endured a period of agony, capped by missing out on Tokyo Olympics. It could have broken them, but it's only made them stronger as Spain have long circled Paris 2024 when they can finally put the ghosts of the past to rest. 

Led by the inspirational Sandra Ygueravide, who experienced so much devastation previously, Spain played with an edge during qualification to win a ticket to Paris. 

Their Olympic dreams were realized, but this proud Spanish team won't be truly satisfied until they win gold. 

 

Azerbaijan: Playing with freedom makes them highly dangerous

Who is the most surprising team in Paris? It just has to be Azerbaijan, representing a nation of 10 million which gained independence in 1991. 

They will be an underdog, but that might just suit them with the pressure off - externally anyway. Azerbaijan can play with freedom and that might just spook opponents who will enter with major expectations hanging over them. 

Azerbaijan were spectacular in qualification with stars Tiffany Hayes and Alexandra Mollenhauer playing with the type of swagger that typifies this emerging 3x3 force. 

 

 Australia: They are unbeatable in 2024 

The Gangurrus have played four events this year for four titles.

They steamrolled through the competition to complete a successful Asia Cup title defense before clinching an Olympic ticket in Utsunomiya after memorably beating Canada in a thriller. 

The Aussies have also added two titles on the Women's Series to ensure they enter Paris as the in-form team of 2024. Australia's success has been built around almost perfect chemistry from four players who have played together for the past two seasons. 

Marena Whittle, Anneli Maley and Alex Wilson are athletic two-way players, while Lauren Mansfield is a slick shooter and brilliant ball-handler.

If you didn't realize, Australia is far away from most of the world and it's set them back in the past because they are unable to compete in as many events as other teams. 

But they've been able to string together games this season and the results have been flawless heading into Paris.  

 

FIBA