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16 - 25
June 2017
9 Celine Dumerc (FRA)
24/06/2017
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Third time lucky for France? The Final preview

PRAGUE (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) - After settling for silver in 2013 and 2015, France will take on Spain in the Final, determined to grab their first gold since 2009.

In a repeat of the dramatic Final from 2013, France will be looking for revenge and the sweet taste of ultimate success that has eluded them at the last two editions of FIBA EuroBasket Women.

Key Matchups: One of the most intriguing matchups comes at point guard, with legends Celine Dumerc and Laia Palau playing their last game at FIBA EuroBasket Women. Both are well supported in the backcourt, but they are equally capable of inspiring their teams to the heights required to earn the gold medal. It will be fascinating to see who can gain the upper hand.

Endene Miyem has been France's highest scorer and most-used player - she will likely play at power forward, but she could well draw the defensive assignment on the dangerous Alba Torrens, who is looking in supreme form and will likely receive strong MVP consideration.

Key Stat: Spain are draining 38 percent of their shots from downtown, while France have taken more but hit fewer, clocking in at 26 percent. With explosive players on either side able to take the game away in a hurry, a timely three-pointer or a cold shooting night could help to swing the game.

They Said: "We're going to fight for 40 minutes and we'll play the way we are used to playing. We played France in a preparation game - they are tough, they like to defend, and they have some really big players. We don't have the same sort of size, but we will play hard team defense and give everything" - Spanish guard Marta Xargay

"We're going to try and get plenty of rest now and start to work on Spain. They're having a great tournament. We know their strengths, so we're going to try and confront those" - French forward Diandra Tchatchouang

FIBA