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E-mail Xinhua, July 18, 2024
Following the conclusion of the men's basketball qualification tournament for the Paris Olympics, the full list of participating teams and the complete schedule for both men's and women's basketball were officially announced. There are no weak teams in the men's competition. On the women's side, the U.S. remains the dominant force, virtually unchallenged, with the other 11 teams aiming for the silver medal at best.
The four men's teams that clinched the final Olympic spots through the qualification tournament are Greece, Spain, Brazil, and Puerto Rico. The fact that these traditional powerhouses had to fight their way through the qualifiers underscores the intense competition expected at the Paris Olympics.
Undoubtedly, the U.S. team remains the title favorite, but they are not invincible. The U.S. announced its Olympic roster back in April, featuring star players such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
However, it must be acknowledged that Durant has already competed in three Olympics, and James in two; both are past their career peaks. Young players like Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum, while outstanding, do not yet command the same dominance on the court as their predecessors. The U.S. team is certainly among the top contenders, but their path to the gold medal won't be plain sailing.
Another team to watch is Germany, fresh off their 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup victory. Led by Dennis Schroder, Germany has shown unprecedented fighting spirit and is arguably the strongest German team in history. They won the World Cup with an unbeaten record, defeating Serbia in the final. The Olympics will be another chance for them to showcase their strength.
Similarly, Serbia, the World Cup runner-up, is also a strong contender. Their loss to Germany in the World Cup was due to the absence of their star player, Nikola Jokic, who will be ready for the 2024 Olympics. With Jokic, Serbia can beat any opponent.
Beyond these top teams, other squads are not to be underestimated. Greece, bolstered by the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, went undefeated in the qualifiers. Canada, which finished third in the World Cup by defeating the U.S., boasts several NBA stars, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander making the World Cup All-Star team.
Spain also performed strongly in the qualifiers and remains a formidable opponent. Host nation France, a regular at the Olympics, is also packed with talent. Even South Sudan, a relatively unknown team, defeated China by 20 points in the World Cup.
In women's basketball, the star-studded U.S. team's dominance remains unchallenged. They won the 2022 Women's World Cup after defeating China 83-61 in the final, claiming their fourth consecutive World Cup title.
At the Paris Olympics, the U.S. aims for their eighth consecutive gold medal. Despite having veteran players like Diana Taurasi on the roster, the U.S. has successfully transitioned to a new generation, with players like A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Breanna Stewart forming the core, making them a formidable opponent for any team.
The Chinese women's team, World Cup runner-up, is also a strong contender for a medal. Led by young talents such as Li Meng, Han Xu, and Li Yueru, the team made history at the 2022 World Cup in Australia, achieving their best result since 1994. Their goal for the Olympics is to match their historic silver medal from the 1992 Games.
However, China's competitors are equally strong. Teams like Australia, Japan, France, Spain, and Belgium are all on par with China. Japan, the runner-up at the last Olympics, is a long-standing rival of China. In 2023, China defeated Japan twice in close matches in the Asia Cup and Asian Games finals, with scores of 73-71 and 74-72, respectively. Australia, beaten 61-59 by China in the World Cup semifinals, also poses a significant threat. Despite not being as dominant as they once were, the physically tough Australian team remains a force to be reckoned with.
Host nation France has always been a strong team, and with the advantage of playing at home, they are expected to perform with increased confidence. Belgium, who narrowly lost to the U.S. by 79-81 in the Olympic qualifiers, is another formidable opponent.
In the Olympic women's basketball draw, China is placed in Group A with Spain, Serbia, and Puerto Rico. This grouping allows China to avoid many of the strongest opponents in the early stages, providing a favorable opportunity to top the group. If China plays steadily and avoids an early encounter with the U.S., their goal of winning a medal becomes more attainable.
