3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament Finals Day - Full Report

After a successful start in Debrecen, it was now all to play for as two Canadian teams were still in contention and seeking a place at this year's Olympic tournament.

Both teams saw different levels of success when the tournament started, but entered the latter stage of competition with different circumstances. The men needed a win against France while the women seemed to have qualified with a remaining pool game to the Czech Republic in hand. As with every 3x3 tournament, there was still no telling what could happen as both Canadian campaigns resumed in Debrecen.

Both Canada and France's men's teams saw success from two-point territory to begin with, but after Bikramjit Gill levelled the scores, France hit nine points without reply. While Canada looked to find a way back, Jules Rambaut and Raphael Wilson put the French up double digits midway through time.

Jerome Desrosiers found some open looks in the paint for Canada to narrow the gap, but after Wilson put France within a point of victory, it all seemed inevitable. With ten points from Wilson, France dumped Canada out of contention after a 21-11 win, which saw them finish first in Pool C, while Canada finished fourth.

In the last pool stage game for the women's team, the Plouffes came out firing against the Czechs, scoring their first five points. Paige Crozon and Kacie Bosch then got in on the act, making the scores 9-1 after four minutes. The Czech team tried to respond but kept having their rhythm interrupted as Canada kept converting from close range.

With Katherine Plouffe leading on seven points and rebounds, Canada maintained their lead and had complete control of the game, finishing with a 17-10 final score which also won them the pool, though results in the other games meant that the Czechs would also be advancing to the knockout round.

Now the only hope for Canadian flag to be flying in the Place de la Concorde this year, the women's team progressed to the quarter finals where they faced Italy. Katherine began putting up the first four points of the game, Paige Crozon then added five in a row, Canada's lead standing at 9-1. The sisters continued on the warpath and Crozon kept converting two-pointers while Italy never took off in this one.

Crozon and Katherine Plouffe both finished with nine in their takedown of Italy, by a final score of 21-8, which in turn saw them advance to face Spain in the semi finals. These two teams were yet to see a loss in Debrecen, but only one could continue that streak and Spain had an equally convincing quarter final win over Poland.

Spain began scoring six points unanswered, Canada halved their deficit but found it hard to contain Sandra Ygueravide in the paint. Within a minute Michelle Plouffe's outside scoring and Katherine hustling hard on the inside, Canada brought the gap down to a single point. Sandra Ygueravide once again edged Spain closer to the finish line, but Michelle responded by tying the scores with ten seconds left.

With the last shot of the game, Gracia Alonso seemed to have no confidence the ball would drop, but it did. In a moment of sheer disbelief Spain stamped their ticket to Paris, leaving Canada dumfounded and defeated.

Out of contention for first place, Canada's last chance at the Olympic spot meant they had to defeat hosts Hungary in the third place game. The Hungarians had proved themselves formidable opponents, topping their group and only just missing out on a win over Germany in their semi-final. With that and the support of their home fans to buoy them, Canada's final opponents would be a hard final hurdle.

Another strong start from the Plouffes, with Katherine giving Canada the early lead while Vivi Böröndy kept Hungary within contention. The sisters seemed on a mission not to let this last chance slip from the team, they then hit five in a row and put Canada six points in front and they continued to dominate in the low post ,leaving Hungary to scrap it out for only occasional open looks at basket.

With a minute to go, Canada led Hungary by double their score and Crozon made the shot which sealed the ultimate prize - their ticket to Paris 2024.

Canada left it late but had secured their spot in Paris along with Spain and Germany from this tournament, as well as Australia, Azerbaijan, China, France and the USA, who had all already qualified. Michelle and Katherine Plouffe finished as the qualifying tournament's top scorers, with Katherine also the second-best rebounder in Debrecen.

Now with a chance to earn their first Olympic medals, Canada will compete in the Paris games from July 30 - August 5. Until then, you can find out more about this tournament and more by following this link over to the official FIBA 3x3 website.