France look to shine at home at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Marseille stop
MARSEILLE (France) - No. 1 seed France will be looking to make yet another statement at home with a win at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series 2023 Marseille stop on June 29 - 30.
Here’s what you can expect at the eighth stop of the event.
The Favorites
Les Bleues hold the top seed heading into Marseille, and they have earned it.
Having narrowly lost in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Vienna, France bounced back with a resounding win in the Women’s Series in Clermont-Ferrand. They faced a similar result against USA, however in Orleans, bowing out in the Quarter-finals.
They will be without talisman Laetitia Guapo, who is being replaced by star Marie Mane. The rest of the World Cup squad is back in action this week with Myriam Djekoundade, Hortense Limouzin and Marie-Eve Paget taking to the court.
They will be battling it out against Poland, Malaysia and Azerbaijan in group A.
Group B is led by recent winners Spain, having defeated USA in Orleans to claim their first win at the Women’s Series this season.
The iconic Sandra Ygueravide returns once again after having won MVP last week in Orleans. She will be joined by World Cup teammates Marta Canella and Cecilia Muhate, alongside Alba Prieto .
They’ll be facing France U24, Austria and Portugal in group play.
The Field
The group leaders will have their work cut out for them as they have to get through some stiff competition on the way to the knockout stages.
France U24 side made waves in Clermont-Ferrand, reaching the Semi-finals only to lose narrowly to Lithuania. Yohana Ewodo and Sixtine Macquet will be returning in Marseille and if you haven’t seen them play, get ready for some sublime buckets.
Austria will also return to action, last competing in the season in Astara. They made it to the Semi-finals, even defeating the Gold standard China on the way.
Camille Neumann stole the headlines with her awesome showing last time out, and she will be returning in Marseille. More importantly, we get to watch the 2023 Women’s Series debut of Rebekka Kalaydjiev. Having been involved in a devastating car accident in 2021, Bekki has persevered and returned to 3x3 action this year. All eyes will be on the Austrian star as she takes the court on June 29.
Poland, Portugal, Malaysia and Azerbaijan won’t be pushovers, each having shown just how strong they are in different legs of the series so far.
Pools
Pool A: France, Poland, Malaysia, Azerbaijan
Pool B: Spain, France U24, Austria, Portugal
How to watch
The action tips off in Marseille on June 29 - 30 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.