Japan vs France: the French team might not be strong enough to beat the Japanese

The French women's basketball team will play against their Japanese counterparts in their first match of the Olympic Games. Will the French be able to break the defense of the hosts? Let's take a look at several bets for the first round of the group stage.

It's no secret that Japan is not the leader of world basketball. Although on their own continent, the Japanese have been among the best in recent years.  The last four Asian titles have been won by Japan. In 2019, Japan beat China 71-68 in the finals.

It goes without saying that the participation of the Japanese women's team at the Olympics should become commonplace with such strong progress. The 2021 home tournament will, however, be only the second time they compete in the Olympics. The team of the Land of the Rising Sun finished 8th in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. And before that, their last performance was at the Olympics in 2004.

On the eve of the start of the group stage, the Japanese had five friendly matches. They defeated the Portuguese team three times and were stronger than the teams of Puerto Rico and Belgium. A brilliant result, although the level of the opponents was, frankly speaking, not high at all.

The French team has been one of the strongest teams on the European continent for many years. But they have not been able to win the continental championship. For 5 consecutive European Championships, the French team has lost in the finals. At EuroBasket 2021 France lost in the decisive match to Serbia.

The situation is similar at the last Olympics. In 2012 in London where France also lost in the final to the U.S. team. In Rio 2016, the French women stumbled one step earlier - in the semifinals the same Americans were an overwhelming challenge.

France played two matches against Spain before traveling to Tokyo. It lost in the first game with a score of 61-72 but was stronger in the second one at home with a result of 80-75.

After having lost many consecutive matches, the French team might not be confident in their own abilities. Japan is not a weak opponent, and even they are playing at home. It is quite possible that France will start the tournament with a victory, but most likely with struggle. Prediction - the French will have a lot of problems in the first match in Tokyo.

• Japan to win with a handicap (+9.5) at odds around 1.785;
• Japan total points over 66.5 for 1.85