Canada’s women’s wheelchair basketball team is one win away from qualifying for the Paris Paralympics.
The Canadians beat France 76-40 on Friday to finish the group stage a perfect 3-0 at their qualifying tournament in Osaka, Japan.
The victory followed consecutive blowout wins over Japan (81-44) and Spain (77-49).
Now, Canada is left with a do-or-die game against Algeria on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET, in which the winner books its ticket to Paris while the loser is eliminated. Live coverage is available on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.
Algeria competed at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, but lost all five games it played to finish in last place with a point differential of minus-253.
The Canadian women’s team has qualified for every Paralympics but one since 1972, but is seeking its first podium appearance since winning bronze in 2004 to end a stretch of three straight gold medals.
The tournament follows the same format as the recently completed men’s qualifier, in which teams play three games to determine seeding and matchups for a do-or-die qualification game. Canada’s men went 0-3 before stunning previously unbeaten Italy to book their ticket to Paris.
Against France, Arinn Young of Legal, Alta., once again put forward a strong performance, leading the team with 26 points to go with nine assists and six rebounds. Kady Dandeneau, the Pender Island, B.C., native fresh off a 35-point outing against Spain, contributed a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Canada controlled play throughout, building a 14-6 advantage through one quarter and stretching the lead to 30-14 by halftime.
Forward Marion Blais led France with 14 points.
WATCH | Full replay of Canada vs. France:
Watch Canada face France at the women’s wheelchair basketball Paralympic qualifier in Osaka, Japan.