Women's 3x3 power France face the bright lights at Paris Olympics

PARIS (France) - All eyes will be on host France, who will be undeniable crowd favorites at the Paris Olympics. 

Let's take a closer look at the reigning World Cup silver medalists. 

FRANCE

Ranking: 1st 

Previous Olympic Appearances: 2021 (4th)

Squad: Laetitia Guapo, Myriam Djekoundade, Hortense Limouzin, Marie-Eve Paget

Key Player: Laetitia Guapo 

Laetitia Guapo is simply one of the very best women 3x3 players of all-time. She was front and center of France's historic double of World Cup and Europe Cup titles in 2022.  

Guapo led France to silver at last year's World Cup after pouring in a staggering 45 points to be once again named in the Team of the Tournament.

The 28-year-old again has balled out on the Women's Series, averaging 5.8 ppg for leaders France who have won three titles already this season. 

After being left heartbroken when France missed the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, Guapo will be on a mission and if she can lead her country to glory then she will become a national hero. 

Qualification:  As the host nation, France was guaranteed a spot at their home Olympics. 

France were among the favorites at the Tokyo Games and almost stunned mighty USA in the semi-finals before falling short.

They could not win the consolation of bronze after France were toppled by China and they left Tokyo without a medal. 

Expectations: With the same line-up that won the World Cup 2022, France will be eying gold on their half-court.

They will enjoy the passionate support of their enthusiastic fans with the iconic La Concorde set to turn into a sea of blue, white and red whenever France plays. 

Playing at home does create extra pressure on France, whose every move will be under the microscope in an event they are expected to seriously contend. 

It could suffocate some, but this French team is highly experienced and led by the cool presence of Guapo, who just needs an Olympic medal to cap an illustrious career. 

She won't be doing it alone with ball-handling wizard Marie-Eve Paget also extra determined having played on France's fruitless campaign in Tokyo. 

Former Europe Cup MVP Myriam Djekoundade is a dynamic bucket getter, while  26-year-old Hortense Limouzin is something of a magician with the Wilson in her hands. 

As we've seen on the big stage before, these players mesh perfectly together and buoyed by fanatical fan support might just be enough for France to realize their dreams and be the host with the most. 

FIBA