Do or die: Battle for last ticket in Group A and Race to the top in Group B
SYDNEY (Australia) - The last gameday of the Group Phase is near, but there's still plenty to play for in the last six games. Only one ticket to the Quarter-Finals remain, but the position in the standings of each group is still up in the air. Which is why you can expect plenty of fireworks when the teams take the court.
Group A
12/15 games played
| GAMES | STREAK | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | Last 5 | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 |  USA * |
4 | 4 | 0 | 100 | 415 | 246 | 169 | 103.8 | 61.5 | 8 | |
| 2 |  China* |
4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 363 | 232 | 131 | 90.8 | 58 | 7 | |
| 3 |  Belgium * |
4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 309 | 268 | 41 | 77.2 | 67 | 7 | |
| 4 |  Puerto Rico |
4 | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 249 | 327 | -78 | 62.2 | 81.8 | 5 | |
| 5 |  Korea |
4 | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 273 | 402 | -129 | 68.2 | 100.5 | 5 | |
| 6 |  BIH |
4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 230 | 364 | -134 | 57.5 | 91 | 4 | |
Korea will qualify if
- They defeat Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico will qualify if
- They defeat Korea
27 September 2022
Puerto Rico vs Korea - 11:30 GMT +10 - Sydney SuperDome
China vs Belgium - 13:30 GMT +10 - Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina - 14:00 GMT +10 - Sydney SuperDome
Preview
The first game of the day will be a BIG one between Korea and Puerto Rico as it will ultimately be a do-or-die game. The winners moves on into the Final Phase, the loser drop out of contention. Both teams lost on September 26 to historic performances by USA (most points scored in Women's World Cup) and China (most assists recorded by a team in a Women's World Cup game since 1994), but they've had a lot of bright spots so far in Sydney, whether it has been Arella Guirantes' form for Korea or Kang LeeSeul's monster 37-point game.
Meanwhile, even though China and Belgium are both through to the Quarter-Finals already, their game against each other is just as important. As USA have clinched the top spot in the group, whichever team that wins between China and Belgium will advance from the Group A as the second seed. China have been one of the most impressive teams in the Women's World Cup and Belgium are playing at a pretty highly level themselves, so getting to watch these two teams play for a chance to be drawn against the third and second seed in Group B should be a delight for the fans.
Group B
12/15 games played
| GAMES | STREAK | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | Last 5 | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 |  Canada * |
4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 268 | 236 | 32 | 67 | 59 | 7 | |
| 2 |  France * |
4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 256 | 228 | 28 | 64 | 57 | 7 | |
| 3 |  Australia * |
4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 319 | 254 | 65 | 79.8 | 63.5 | 7 | |
| 4 |  Serbia * |
4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0 | 264 | 268 | -4 | 66 | 67 | 6 | |
| 5 |  Japan |
4 | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 262 | 262 | 0 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 5 | |
| 6 |  Mali |
4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 241 | 362 | -121 | 60.2 | 90.5 | 4 | |
France will finish at the top of Group B if
- They defeat Serbia AND
- Mali defeat Canada
Canada will finish at the top of Group B if
- They defeat Mali AND
- France defeat Serbia OR Japan defeat Australia
Australia will finish at the top of Group B if
- Serbia defeat France AND
- They defeat Japan or Mali defeat Canada
Serbia cannot finish at the top of Group B
27 September 2022
Mali vs Canada - 16:00 GMT +10 - Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
Serbia vs France - 17:30 GMT +10 - Sydney SuperDome
Australia vs Japan - 20:30 GMT +10 - Sydney SuperDome
Preview
Oh, you thought the suspense was over in Group B since all four qualification spots were filled? It's far from over.
The qualified teams are guaranteed a spot in the Final Phase, but all of the teams are actively racing to finish among the top two teams of the group to have a chance at a relatively more desirable draw in the next round.
France can clinch a spot among the top two with a win against Serbia, which won't be easy. While Serbia can't finish at the top spot in Group B, they still have a shot if they can beat France by at least 18 points while also hoping that Canada will beat Mali and Japan will beat Australia.
Canada might be playing against an winless Mali team, but they will have to win to avoid finishing outside of the top two spots. If they lose to Mali and France beats Serbia, they will find themselves dropping down to third place. Even after a loss against Australia today, Canada have been playing well on both ends of the floor throughout their time here in Sydney.
For hosts Australia, their fate is out of their hands. The Opals would need to hope Canada do not defeat Mali and that France do not beat Serbia, at the very least. Nonetheless, while they might know that a win on their end might not impact their fate in the draw as much as the results of the other games, coach Sandy Brondello was firm in coming out to say that they will continue to play the game with same effort and passion as they have been over the past few days.
DISCLAIMER: The above analysis has been prepared solely for the purpose of improving the experience of fans. It is not to be understood as advice or as binding information on the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 for competition purposes.
FIBA
