Canada falls to Spain in women's Olympic basketball tune-up

The Canadian women’s basketball team lost an Olympic tune-up game to Spain 61-48 on Saturday in Charleroi, France, less than two weeks to go before the start of the Paris Games.

Montreal’s Nirra Fields scored 16 points for Canada

The Canadian Press · Posted: Jul 13, 2024 7:39 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 13

Canada female basketball player drives at the basket during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball Semi Final match between Canada and USA at Sydney Superdome, on September 30, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. — Nirra Fields, right, pictured competing in 2022, led Canada's offence in a losing cause Saturday against Spain. (Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The Canadian women's basketball team lost an Olympic tune-up game to Spain 61-48 on Saturday in Charleroi, France, less than two weeks to go before the start of the Paris Games.

Montreal's Nirra Fields led Canada's scoring with 16 points with Laeticia Amihere, of Mississauga, Ont., chipping in with nine points and seven rebounds.

Alba Torrens (11 points) and Laura Gil (10 points) powered No. 4 Spain's offensive attack.

WATCH | Canada drops exhibition game against Spain:

Canada's women drop exhibition basketball game against Spain

5 months ago

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The Spanish team took over in the second half to hand Canada a 61-48 defeat in Belgium.

The Canadians, ranked fifth, are looking to do something it hasn't ever done in seven previous appearances at the Olympics — medal. However, with a team that bears a wealth of experience and young talent, especially at the forward spot, they could be primed to do so.

Canada, which has five WNBA players on its roster, qualified for the Games back in February at an Olympic qualifying tournament in Hungary. Canada went 1-2 but was helped out by fourth-ranked Spain defeating host Hungary 73-72 in the final game of the tournament.

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