The World Cup started on Friday with all sixteen teams in action. Each team plays three games in the group stage with the team in last place getting eliminated and the team in first place getting a bye to the quarterfinals.
Kokoro Tanaka vs Rokia Doumbia
Valkyries draftee Kokoro Tanaka and faced off against Women’s Premier Basketball Association player Rokia Doumbia and Mali in one of the first games of the day. It ended up being a close game, but Japan did pick up the 102-97 win. Tanaka had 18 points and a game-high 7 assists in 20 minutes. Doumbia started in the opposing backcourt and had 3 points in 13 minutes.
Miela Sowah
Australia started their tournament with a 70-54 win over Puerto Rico. Miela Sowah appeared briefly in the final minute of the first quarter. Former Valkyries also played for Australia as Stephanie Talbot led them with 19 points and added 8 rebounds in 33 minutes and Chloe Bibby had 3 points in 20 minutes.
Cecilia Zandalasini
Nobody on Italy had been born when the country last played in this event, but they got a 63-54 win over Czechia in their return to this level. Cecilia Zandalasini led them in scoring with 19 points in 33 minutes.
Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun
France started the tournament by playing Hungary, taking a big first half on their way to a 99-53 win. Gabby Williams had 17 points in 20 minutes and Janelle Salaun had 8 points and 7 rebounds in 18 minutes. Former Valkyries also got in the act as Carla Leite had 6 points in 15 minutes and Migna Toure had 3 points in 16 minutes.
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