China, ranked second in the FIBA rankings, suffered a crushing 32-point loss to France.

China lost 50-82 and 32 points in the second Group A match of the final qualifying round of the 2024 Paris Olympics against France in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China on the 10th.

China is a strong team that won the runner-up prize at the 2022 FIBA Australian Women's Basketball World Cup. Along with Japan, which won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, it has become a women's basketball powerhouse that boasts outstanding competitiveness not only in Asia but also in the world.

She also lost her chance to become the No. 2 player in Asia after losing to Japan a year ago. China also regained its self-esteem as it won the Women's Basketball Asia Cup for the first time in 12 years after 2011, after Japan won the Asian Cup for the sixth consecutive time in 2023.

Of course, China was considered the best in the preliminary round held in its own country. France is a powerhouse recognized not only in Europe but also in the world, but it was expected that it would be lagging behind China.

In fact, China and France met in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. At that time, China won 85-71, making it to the semifinals.

Less than two years later, however, China suffered a humiliating loss to France. As the match was held in China, the shock was doubled.

Li Meng scored 21 points and two assists, and she fought hard, but other players' poor performance hampered her. Hwang Shi-jing applied with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and Li Yueru applied with eight points and eight rebounds, but Hansi was unable to do so, with only four points.

On the other hand, France defeated China with Gavi Williams (17 points, seven rebounds, and two steals) and Marine Johannes (17 points, two assists) one-two punches.

China committed 22 errors and ended up destroying itself. In the rebound fight, the team lost 28-42, saving its pride. It was an overwhelming defeat that even led to a 43-point deficit at one point. From China's point of view, there is nothing more humiliating than this.

Even so, China's participation in the Paris Olympics will likely be successful without any problems. The team already defeated New Zealand 94-47. Unless something unexpected happens, China will be able to go to Paris.

As France is the host country of the Paris Olympics, it had an automatic berth. One, it avenged China, opening the way to the finals with two consecutive wins.

Meanwhile, the U.S., the defending champion including the host country France, has secured a ticket to Paris, while the second day of the final qualifying round is underway. The U.S. became the first to secure a ticket by defeating Belgium and Nigeria one after another. The U.S. team now has a chance to increase its Olympic gold medal streak from 1996 to 8.  스포츠토토