The second semifinal recreation of the ladies’s 5×5 basketball match on the 2024 Olympics is Friday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. ET, with Belgium taking part in France (Peacock/USA Community).
It will mark the seventh time these two groups have ever confronted off, with the present collection tied at 3-3. These two groups play one another very shut; nonetheless, France has gained two of the final three video games courting again to 2022. Listed here are some key components to look out for throughout the semifinal match:
How will Meesseman and Belgium’s offense carry out?
Belgium has been an offensive juggernaut all through the match, led by star ahead Emma Meesseman. Their skill to house the ground and share the ball has been the important thing to their success, permitting them to common just below 80 factors per recreation.
Meesseman has regarded like arguably the most effective participant in Olympic competitors. She lately went off for 30 factors on 67 % taking pictures towards Japan and adopted that up with an environment friendly 19-point, nine-rebound and six-assist effort towards Spain. Even Group USA had little or no reply for her offensively. France will look to disrupt Belgium’s offensive circulate by pressuring their guards and denying Meesseman simple touches. Will probably be essential for Belgium’s perimeter gamers to knock down photographs and relieve the stress on Meesseman, particularly with their spacing and motion away from the ball.
Which Marine Johannès will France get?
France’s success on this match has largely trusted the scoring prowess of Marine Johannès. She has been a constant offensive menace, utilizing her quickness and taking pictures skill to create scoring alternatives. Very similar to her function with the New York Liberty, she is the definition of microwave offense. When she’s sizzling, she’s sizzling. Nevertheless, this streaky taking pictures could be detrimental to France’s offense when photographs aren’t falling.
Nothing epitomizes this level greater than France’s final two video games: a win towards Germany the place Johannès had 24 factors on 8-for-14 taking pictures and a loss towards Australia the place she had 9 factors on 4-for-12 taking pictures. Each of those video games epitomize her affect for France and why her efficiency will dictate their possibilities. Johannès’ skill to interrupt down defenders off the dribble and hit photographs from deep might be essential for France’s possibilities. If she will be able to discover her rhythm early and draw defenders, it might open up alternatives for her teammates to attain.
Which staff’s fashion might be simpler?
Each Belgium and France play related kinds, thriving in an up-tempo, spaced-out fashion the place they will run unfold pick-and-roll and stretch defenses with taking pictures. Consequently, matchup looking might be essential; each groups will look to guard their weaker defenders when defending, whereas exploiting the opponent’s defensive liabilities when on offense.
The largest query is: How will these groups scheme and defend towards very related offensive methods to their very own?
Recreation info
France vs. Belgium
When: Friday, August 9 at 3 p.m. ET
The place: Bercy Enviornment in Paris, France
The way to watch: Peacock, USA Community
