Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, is gearing up for an Olympics warm-up game against Serbia at the Belgrade Arena, scheduled for 17:00 GMT (5 pm Nigerian time). This marks their second preparatory match for the Women’s Basketball Tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games, set to commence on July 26 in Paris, France.
Following a 77-63 defeat to Germany at the UBER Arena in Berlin, D’Tigress displayed a commendable performance supported by Nigerians residing in Berlin and other German cities. Despite the loss, Randy Waldrum’s team remains optimistic about their upcoming game against Serbia, another European basketball powerhouse, with the backing of Nigerian sports enthusiasts in Serbia.
Ranked 12th globally, D’Tigress are determined to enhance their performance ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they face formidable opponents in Group B, including Australia (ranked 3rd), France (7th), and Canada (5th).
Germany, D’Tigress’ initial pre-tournament adversary, holds the 19th spot in the FIBA World Rankings, while Serbia stands at 10th. Similar to Nigeria, the Serbian team is making its second Olympic appearance, having secured bronze during their debut in 2016. Serbia’s impressive record includes two World Cup appearances and multiple medals at the EuroBasket, positioning them as a formidable opponent.
Nigeria, having won the FIBA Afrobasket four consecutive times, faces a daunting task in Paris. Their debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ended without a victory, conceding over 400 points in group games. They aim to secure their first-ever win in the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament, striving to overcome their previous performances against France, the USA, and Japan.
As D’Tigress continue their preparations, the upcoming match against Serbia serves as a crucial test ahead of the challenges that await in Paris.
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