With twelve teams competing in two groups, we have prepared a well-versed analysis of the mega event in Sydney for each group respectively.
The tournament will take place between September 22 and October 1st. A direct ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics will be awarded to whatever team is crowned the FIBA Women’s 2022 World Cup.
Reigning Champions Crowned 10 Titles
The flagship tournament, which has been running since 1953, is in its 19th season. Only four different countries have ever celebrated a championship win, with the United States taking home an incredible 10 of them. The Soviet Union comes in second with five, and they also have the longest victory streak, winning all of them back-to-back between 1959 and 1975. Brazil and Australia were the other champions in 1994 and 2006, respectively.
Group A
Favorites:
Defending champions USA is currently riding a 22-game undefeated streak in this competition, they will be the frontrunners. Despite not having the same experience as earlier editions, their skill and diversity are extremely rich. If everything goes as planned and expected, China or Belgium will probably compete for second place.
Underdogs:
Korea hasn’t won a match since 2010, and the absence of their inspiring leader JiSu Park makes them the underdogs. The same can be said of Puerto Rico, which debuted in 2018 and lost all three games. Last year, it also failed to secure a victory at the Olympic Games.
Ballers to watch out for:
Emma Messeman (BEL), Yueru Li (CHN), Jonquel Jones (BIH), Arella Guirantes (PUR), Danbi Kim (KOR), Breanna Stewart (USA)
‘X-Factor’ Players:
Hind Ben Abdelkader (BEL), Sijing Huang (CHN), Nikolina Knezevic (BIH), Jennifer O’Neill (PUR), Jihyun Park (KOR), Sabrina Ionescu (USA)
Young Guns:
Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka (BEL), Yeeun-Heo (KOR)
Group B
Favorites:
Pick your favorite since, in what has come to be known as “The Group of Death,” since the draw, all possibilities are essentially viable. Japan, who won the Asian championship and advanced to the Olympic Final the previous year, must, however, be considered the front-runner. Similarly, Australia will be supported at home, appear well-stocked with choices, and be challenging to beat.
Underdogs:
There is just one underdog in this group, according to general agreement, and that is Mali. They set out to compete with one another. It remains to be seen if they can pull off an upset or two, but they gave signs they may at the qualifying tournament in Belgrade.
Ballers to watch:
Gabby Williams (FRA), Yvonne Anderson (SRB), Ramu Tokashiki (JPN), Sika Kone (MLI), Natalie Achonwa (CAN), Ezi Magbegor (AUS)
‘X-Factor’ Players:
Marine Johannes (FRA), Jovana Nogic (SRB), Monica Okoye (JPN), Touty Gandega (MLI), Bridget Carelton (CAN), Lauren Jackson (AUS)
Young Guns:
Iliana Rupert (FRA), Marine Fauthoux (FRA), Aika Hirashita (JPN), Maimouna Haidara (MLI), Laeticia Amihere (CAN)
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