Under the luminous skies of Paris in 2024, the Canadian women’s basketball team will stride onto the court, their Olympic dreams kept alive by an unexpected ally: the Spanish team. It was less a matter of Canada securing their place than Spain winning a heated battle against Hungary, thus carving a path for Canada to the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament held in Sopron, Hungary.
In the midst of the tournament’s intensity, a critical game unfolded, a face-off that would test the very sinews of Team Canada. Against Japan, the titans clashed, and amidst the flurry of passes, leaps, and shots, Bridget Carleton emerged as a beacon of hope with her stellar performance of 19 points and eight rebounds. Despite Carleton’s heroism, Canada faced the sting of defeat, bowing out with a close scoreline of 86-82.
The tournament, a crucible of national pride and competitive fervor, saw Canada’s early triumph over Hungary overshadowed by a loss to the formidable Spaniards. On the brink of elimination, the Canadians could have seized their fate with a victory against Japan; yet fate, with a penchant for ironic twists, had elected for Spain to be the architect of their salvation.
Later that day, as Spain narrowly outmaneuvered Hungary with a thrilling 73-72 victory, the winds of fortune shifted in Canada’s favor, cementing their journey to Paris.
Within the halls where Team Canada congregated, a wave of relief crashed over them. Natalie Achonwa, a tower of strength with 12 points and nine rebounds, encapsulated the dizzying emotional ride. “It is a complete rollercoaster when your fate is in someone else’s hands,” she confessed, elation tingeing her voice as the realization set in that their aspirations were still alight.
Marking their fourth straight Olympic voyage, the Canadian women’s side joined their male counterparts in a savory slice of history, as it’s been since the turn of the millennium that both squads graced the Olympics simultaneously.
Performances of note came aplenty — with Kayla Alexander’s relentless 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Nirra Fields’ 17-point, seven-rebound sortie contributing to a resilient Canadian effort. Meanwhile, Japan’s formidable duo, Evelyn Mawuli and the acclaimed MVP Mai Yamamoto, blazed with 21 points each — spearheading Japan’s admirable defense of their Olympic silverware.
In the aftermath, Canada’s head coach, Victor Lapena, exuded respect for the Japanese contingent. “Congratulations to Japan,” he offered graciously, acknowledging the razor-sharp precision and adaptability that had marked Japan’s play, where Mawuli stood out as a game-changer.
The group Canada found themselves in was undeniably grueling. The contest was a tightly woven tapestry of lead exchanges — the scoreboard oscillating as frequently as the tempo of the game. By the half, Japan had etched out a slender four-point advantage, a lead they nursed and protected heading into the final quarter.
However, it was Japan’s explosive 6-1 surge, culminated by a decisive Yamamoto layup, that unveiled the writing on the wall. A mellifluous blend of agility, sharpshooting, and unyielding spirit, Japan crafted their win with the finesse befitting basketball maestros.
Reflecting on the journey, Carleton pointed to the caliber of their adversaries: “We had a tough group,” she said, her words embodying both the challenge they faced and the resilience they showed. “We fought hard…but Japan’s really good.”
Canada now looks ahead, their sails billowing with the gale-force winds of hope, as they prepare to cast their net for Olympic glory on the grandest of all stages — Paris 2024.
