Want the low down on what to expect from Group A at the Paris Olympics? Look no further.
From a nation burdened with being hosts to the reigning gold medalist, a rising giant and a fearless small nation – this group has it all.
Here’s a breakdown of each team.
FRANCE: Home tournament once again, can they handle the pressure?
The weight of expectation hosting a major tournament is thrust upon France once again, will this be the time they shoulder the responsibility like champions?
Goosebumps quickly surface when casting my mind back to the opening game of the 2019 World Cup in Paris. Les Bleues preened in front of a roaring crowd to serve up a delicious thrashing of South Korea. It was a feast worthy of queens leaving both the home support and neutrals deeply satisfied after scoring in the first 10 minutes and notching the final of four in the 85th minute.
Three tighter wins against Norway and Nigeria sealed qualifying top – even if it wasn’t as stylish as the opener. A battle of endurance and persistence to win in extra time against Brazil in the round of 16 set up destiny against the eventual champions – USWNT.
While falling foul of the eventual champions doesn’t spell disaster like a burnt pizza (or croissant), being knocked out of the quarter-finals fell below expectations with a squad packed with talent and big-game experience.
A tumultuous period off the field triggered the eventual sacking of controversial coach Corinne Diacre in exchange for Harve Renard to steady the ship on the eve of the 2023 World Cup. Players caught in the wilderness during the previous year’s Euros were recalled for the big dance. France was only stopped when they lost in the longest penalty shootout in the tournament’s history against a gallant Matildas fuelled by home support.
There’s little doubt Les Bleues will feel the pressure as the home nation however, the Olympics are a bit more unusual in that eyes aren’t solely on women’s football with a smorgasbord of sports set to capture not only Paris but the world.
Talent won’t be an issue with a plethora of stars vying for spots. Their depth was on show in the Nations League final loss against World Champions Spain where Delphine Cascarino, Kenza Dali and Amel Majri all options off the bench.
Turning to this year’s tournament Colombia shapes up as their biggest challenge after the South Americans dazzled sweetly at last year’s World Cup, boasting superstars who are only on an upward trajectory.
Reigning gold medalist Canada’s threat has dimmed after failing to launch at their last major tournament and will be without their retired taliswoman Christine Sinclair. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s young guns will only be gaining in confidence after a first-ever World Cup win on home soil last year and while could serve up some prickly results, shouldn’t pose an issue against a fully-firing Les Bleues.
The nature of the Olympics is a gamble, but France will take a squad that knows how to win things at club level – with many riding the tailcoats of Lyon’s success of the past decade – is now the time they finally turn upset, disappointment and nearly there’s to win a major tournament for country? The parts are there and home support could tip things in their favour.
COLOMBIA: World Cup darlings the rise of a new giant
Think of the 2023 World Cup beyond Mackenzie “Brickwall” Arnold and some of the most memorable moments was Colombia – who represents not only the rise of a new giant but that no team should be underestimated.
For the neutral, Colombia was the team easiest to be swept away by with the passion pouring from a side capable of jaw-dropping, spectacular moments. Simply put, they’re a joy to watch with supporters creating an atmosphere stamping their matches as a spectacle.
The question is, can they beat the status quo and once again cause nightmares for the traditional giants in the same way they haunted Germany with an injury-time winner to secure the three points a converted penalty in the 89th minute nearly denied.
A lack of depth last year meant they landed in a quarter-final game against England with an undeniable magnetism – but clearly starting to run out of steam even against a side forced into extra time and penalties in the previous round. The same issue could rear its head with the intensity the packed Olympic schedule demands with matches in close succession.
Those in Group A have the most to be worried about to contend with Colombia’s excellence, with a strong third-place position also worthy of battling for and a route to the quarterfinals. The aforementioned victory over Germany is the recipe they will be looking to repeat when contending against hosts France, reigning gold medal holders Canada and a buoyant New Zealand.
Signs their form from last year is still on the boil is a host of strong outings in the lead-up to the Olympics. In a tricky CONCACAF Gold Cup, they narrowly lost to regional powerhouse Brazil and were outclassed by a young-gun-inspired USWNT. Since then, they’ve notched strong victories against a rejuvenated Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela.
Recognition of Colombia’s growing reputation has flowed to major moves to two key forwards superstar Mayra Ramirez and teen-sensation Linda Caicedo to Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively.
Ramirez is exactly the type of player any team wants, especially one often coming in as an underdog – expecting not to see a lot of the ball. Her ability to be relied upon at the top of the attack and decision-making to either hold play up or surge forward in a solo goal-bound mission is simply world-class.
Meanwhile, Linda Caicedo has shown she can change the game on a dime – whether that’s through a dynamic run or a searing goal. For both – time spent at the professional set-ups of their new clubs will only flow on to benefit their nation.
Can Colombia be the dark horse to win a medal? Perhaps not, but be sure they’ll feature in someone’s nightmares and prove they’re more than a one-hit wonder.
CANADA: Defending champions for the first time without their champion
The weight of expectation on any reigning champion is immense; without the security blanket of captain reliable Christine Sinclair after her retirement – Canada will be looking to make a bang in Paris.
A tournament without all-time highest scorer Sinclair for the first time since 2003 heralds a new generation needing to rise to the challenge. It shouldn’t be daunting with the side transitioning to a generation led by Jessie Flemming and Jordan Huitema.
Writing off Canada based on their underwhelmingly dismal World Cup performance would be like judging a cake before it’s cooked – a fool’s game. Bouncing back from disappointing World Cup performances is something they know well. Preparation for their gold medal-winning tournament was a bleak 2019 World Cup round of 16 exit. An early group stage exit won’t taint their expectations heading into the Olympics.
One thing to expect is Canada’s uncanny knack for finding a different gear at Olympic tournaments. They simply know how to handle the pressure and the past three have resulted in silverware in two bronze and a gold.
Canada’s DNA is performing well above expectations at Olympic tournaments. Even a challenging group of hosts France, Colombia and New Zealand isn’t a task too high for the Canucks on paper.
The usual benchmark of playing against the USWNT has been passed with close-to-flying colours twice this year in the Gold Cup and She Believes. Two draws resulting in penalty shootout losses indicate Canada isn’t licking its wounds from a difficult 2023.
Since Sinclair’s absence, scoring goals hasn’t been a major issue for Canada, bagging goals in every game since the demolition in Melbourne at the hands of a jubilant Matildas. Two goals in each game against the Americans, and free-scoring in the group stages of the Gold Cup would inject confidence into a Sinc-less side. Leading that charge is dynamic forward Adriana Leon who has been in scintillating form of late for her country.
While eyes are on the attack, Canada’s defence has been a trademark of Bev Preistman’s side since she took the reigns in 2020. Considering the defensive artillery at their disposal, building from the back respects the quality there – which includes Kadeisha Buchanan, Venessa Gilles, Ashley Lawrence all in their prime.
Ultimately, Canada knows the grit needed to grind out results in the Olympics to finish on the platform. Their performance at the World Cup 12 months prior perhaps won’t have teams quacking in their boots, however they thrive being the underdog and getting the wins when needed.
Underestimate them at your peril, but the signs from the Gold Cup and She Believes are that Canada continues to time their transition between generations as perfectly as a good chef delivering a table of food. It’s a skill and gives the reigning champs a fighting chance to medal, even without their legend.
NEW ZEALAND: More than making up numbers
The Olympics haven’t been kind to New Zealand over the years – including a group of death with the eventual silver medalist Sweden, bronze USA and fourth-placed Matildas last time out. Now is the chance they can prove they’re doing more than making up numbers.
Undoubtedly a rollercoaster home World Cup was a breakthrough for the Kiwis.
A first-ever win against traditional European giant Norway (if you doubt that, they’re one of only three European nations to win a World Cup) smashed the barriers. The young New Zealand side seemingly thrived as underdogs, nearly unpicking a stingy Switzerland that would’ve booked a ticket to their first-ever knockout game.
The steep learning curve arrived with the rare mantle of playing as favourites at a major tournament game. It’s a crown they often wear with pride in their confederation in Oceania, however the Philippines frustrated the Kiwis to the point of walking away with a 1-0 win.
Despite missing out on escaping their group, New Zealand is entering a new era.
Purely the confidence level of not losing against the European teams in last year’s World Cup will be a boost when they meet France. Comparisons can also be drawn with Canada and Switzerland – both stubborn opponents that enter tournament mode with a mission to grind results with a couple of dangerous options forward.
The wild card, as the Philippines were, will be Colombia. The South Americans impressed last July, but will the openness and physicality suit New Zealand? Or will the Kiwis flap against a different style of play bringing back flashbacks of the Philippines.
There’s still plenty of learning in a team bulging with young guns, particularly at the back with Mackenzie Barry, Claudia Bunge and Kate Taylor. It wasn’t too long ago the nation made it to an underage World Cup final, meaning there’s talent to coming into this squad.
Combine the hunger of the next generation with the experience of Hannah Wilkinson, who knows when to pop up with a vital goal, and the leadership of Ali Riley, Rebekah Stott and Katie Bowen, this Olympics holds promise. It might be the last dance for some of those legends and they’ll want to leave it with a bang bigger than last year.
The Olympics is a funny tournament to dissect, and its uniqueness is perhaps what gives New Zealand an outside chance to create something special. While no opponent is easy with only the world’s best 12 teams there – the two best third-placed spots up for grabs means every game is valuable. It’s something that should be well within sight.
Momentum is certainly building on the little island nation. Finally having a domestic avenue with the Wellington Phoenix is only accelerating progress. Paris offers the opportunity to prove it wasn’t only a home crowd fueling them onto strong results on the world stage in a group that’s firmly in New Zealand’s hands as underdogs to serve upsets.
One thing’s for sure, they’re not just here to make up numbers.
READ MORE: GROUP C: Spain’s fav tag, Brazil bouncing back, Nigeria’s discipline, Japan’s new gen
GROUP B: Aus’ last dance, USWNT point to prove, Germany sleeping giants, Zambia’s superstars
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