Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Women’s EuroBasket match.
The Women’s EuroBasket tournament opens with a clash between Turkey and France, where the nominal hosts will attempt to put up a fight against the tournament favourites.
Turkey (women)
In the lead-up to EuroBasket, Turkey played only one warm-up game, which raised a number of questions. They faced Germany, ranked 13th, and failed to deliver any encouraging signs, suffering a 65:81 defeat. With a field goal percentage of just 42.4%, the team will need a near-miracle to compete, which seems improbable against one of the title favourites.
France (women)
In contrast, France contested two preparation matches, both against Belgium. The first was played with a focus on the result, ending in a commanding 91:42 victory. The second saw significant rotation from the coaching staff, which contributed to a narrow 60:63 defeat. Still, the message is clear: the French squad remains arguably the strongest in Europe and enters the tournament in peak condition.
Turkey (women) vs France (women) Prediction
The gulf in quality between the two sides is considerable. For France, beginning the campaign with a convincing win is a must, and there’s no indication they will take their opponents lightly. Given the disparity, a comprehensive victory for the French team looks all but certain.
