Must see matchups at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, Belgrade B
BELGRADE (Serbia)- The second group of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in Belgrade will see an all-African clash and two of the most ambitious nations on the global stage.
African champions Nigeria are in Group B alongside arch Continental rivals Mali, while both France and China can justifiably have eyes on a podium finish at the main event in Sydney if they don’t slip up in the Serbian capital. That’s why these are the two main games to watch in this pool.
Mali v Nigeria – February 13, 12:00 (CET)
Nigeira and Mali went up against each other in pursuit of Continental gold last year
Previous matchup: Both teams met in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2021 Final and it was Nigeria who emerged victorious with a 70-59 to retain their title. Ify Ibekwe claimed a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards, while Victoria Macaulay had a game-high 15 points.https://www.youtube.com/embed/mrF0mjpyPUE?enablejsapi=1
Why it’s one to watch: Aside from the obvious of it being a delicious repeat of a Continental Final, both teams will be acutely aware that one win could be enough and this is the best chance they have of getting it. While Nigeria will be favorites as African champions, having also played at Tokyo 2020, they are likely to be missing the baller who makes them tick in playmaker Ezinne Kalu, so Mali has reason to believe this is a 50-50 game on paper – if they play to their potential.
The imposing Mali center Mariam Coulibaly was in the All-Star Five last year at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2021
Player matchup: Mali have some serious ability in the paint and while much of the pre-tournament talk has surrounded the amazing youngster Sika Kone, if center Mariam Coulibaly repeats the form of last year when she made the FIBA Women’s Afro Basket 2021 All-Star Five, then her team will have a great foundation to build on. It’s likely that Nigeria will rely on the ever-impressive Evelyn Akhator to neutralize that threat, while the center herself is a walking double-double. The forward clash between Kone and Victoria Macaulay looks spicy too.
France v China – February 13, 18:00 (CET)
France and China locked horns at the last edition of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Tenerife, Spain
Previous matchup: France and China met in the 5th place game at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife. Despite a slow start and leaking 27 first quarter points, France came from behind in style and claimed an 81-67 victory. Sandrine Grude top-scored with 16 points for the French side, while Ting Shao matched that tally in defeat.https://www.youtube.com/embed/uSPXXKORrzE?enablejsapi=1
Why it’s one to watch: There are so many similarities to France and China, not least that in the past decade or so, they have failed to take Continental titles as favorites, having to be satsified with a string of silver medals. They both have big ambitions and have every right to be excited at the possibilities as both have a great mixture of young players and also experience. Equally, should they advance from this tournament as expected, they could both make deep runs when they land in Oz.
Li Yueru is one of the best young talents in the women’s global game, but will go up against a veteran maestro in Sandrine Gruda
Player matchup: The fascinating contrast comes under the basket where France have veteran quality of the highest order in Sandrine Gruda, while China has two emerging talents in the Yueru Li and Xu Han. That match up, especially between Li and Gruda will be fascinating, since in terms of experience, it’s very much a master and pupil situation. But Li is such a baller and someone with a huge future, while Gruda has seen and done it all, looks destined to wave goodbye at Paris 2024, but more than capable of inspiring France to a medal in Sydney.
FIBA
