Preview: Who will fly the flag for Africa and can the Cats get close to USA?
ANTWERP (Belgium) - With European champs Belgium balling in front of historic crowds, USA in town and two African rivals ready to battle, brace yourself for this FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
ANTWERP (Belgium) - With European champs Belgium balling in front of historic crowds, USA in town and two African rivals ready to battle, brace yourself for this FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the action getting underway in Antwerp, while you can also check out the individual Team Profiles for: Belgium, Nigeria, Senegal and USA.
The Favorite: USA
All-conquering and still the team that sets the global standard in every single competition, USA remain the benchmark that everyone else is working to and many can only dream of.
USA will use Antwerp as a vital stop towards extending an amazing Olympic winning streak
They should get a test against Belgium if the hosts are at full strength and with a record-breaking crowd behind them. Although USA will surely breeze past both Nigeria and Senegal,
It means this tournament will be very much a fine-tuning operation considering they already have a ticket to the Games guaranteed off the back of winning the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022.
Breanna Stewart is likely to be one of the USA stars on show in Antwerp
USA have named an incredibly strong lineup for the event, which means they will be soaked in star dust with many of their biggest-hitters such as Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi. Meanwhile those perhaps not as certain to get a roster spot in France will be looking to impress by balling in the highest possible gear.
The Underdog: Senegal
They will face an uphill battle in the clashes against both USA and Belgium, while Senegal have also struggled against Nigeria in many of the recent editions of the FIBA Women's AfroBasket.
Cierra Dillard will be the focal point for underdogs Senegal
The offensive capabilities of the team are relatively limited in terms of being able to keep pace with the Cats and the reigning Olympic champions, but it remains to be seen if they can find enough in their locker to take down Nigeria.
Having appeared at the Olympics twice previously in 2000 and 2016, Senegal are not only chasing another appearance at the Games, but they are yet to win a game and are 0-11 across their two previous outings.
The Pivotal Game: Nigeria v Senegal
It's almost inevitable whoever wins this game will proudly fly the flag for African basketball at this year's edition of the Olympic Games. Nigeria will be favorites because they won the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2023 and their modus operandi during the past decade or so has been beating Senegal on the way to landing Continental silverware.
Both teams met in the Final of the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2023
This dominance of Nigeria is perhaps becoming something of a mental challenge for Senegal, but there could barely be a better time to snap this losing streak. To add to the drama, this matchup is the very first game of the schedule in Antwerp and could boil down to who is better prepared and ready to take an amazing opportunity. Watch out for the influence of star ballers Amy Okonkwo and Cierra Dillard for their respective teams who will both look to lead.
The Question: Can the Cats cause an upset against USA?
Having lifted the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 trophy, their first title in history, a proud Belgium will now test their global credentials against the best in the business. They face USA at this tournament with everyone fascinated to see if they can match up and perhaps deliver an upset.
Emma Meesseman will lead the Cats against the Olympic champions
USA will have a super-strong lineup, but with the quality of Emma Meesseman, Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo among others, they will be ready to go to work. While of course, it won't only be Belgian and American fans interested in this one, since neutrals and fans of other teams will be intrigued to see if the Cats can get close - or not.
Both teams met each other two years ago at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament when USA came out on top 84-75 in Washington DC.
The Poll
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