China Women’s Basketball Team Faces Fitness Challenge Before France Clash as Squad Adjustments Are Discussed

China Women’s Basketball Team Faces Fitness Challenge Before France Clash as Squad Adjustments Are Discussed

After defeating Puerto Rico, China’s women’s basketball team successfully advanced to the quarterfinals, becoming the only team from Asia to do so. The team will next challenge France, but a new challenge has emerged before the game: the two matches are separated by only 19 hours, creating a major test for China’s physical condition. Several previous games went down to the final moments, especially the narrow three-point win over Puerto Rico. Without the outstanding performances of Wang Siyu and Han Xu, the game could have gone into overtime, making recovery a key issue for China.

In contrast, France had already secured qualification and had more time to prepare, while also having advantages in physical attributes. The statistical comparison between the two teams is significant, with France averaging more than 103 points per game and China averaging fewer than 70 points. More importantly, in a fan vote, France’s winning support rate reached 98%, and many outside observers were not optimistic about China’s chances. At the same time, some opinions suggested that the team should consider lineup adjustments and pay attention to the performances of Zhang Manman and Li Yuan, two players used by coach Gong Luming.

Some opinions believe that Zhang Manman has repeatedly entered the starting lineup but has not met expectations overall, with one three-pointer being the moment that left the strongest impression on fans. The article argues that, considering her age, her development value is open to discussion. It also mentions veteran Li Yuan, suggesting that injuries, defensive issues, and offensive limitations could affect the team’s selection decisions. The two players have been described by outside observers as players trusted by coach Gong Luming, and the article argues that their performances have affected the team’s overall play. It also notes that without veteran Wang Siyu providing support, China’s backcourt could face greater pressure.