The Blues would obviously have liked to start their first weekend of the World Cup in a better way…
After a convincing preparation, theFrench team violently broke his teeth against the Canada of an excellent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals) this Friday in Jakarta (95-65).
Still largely in the game at halftime (43-40), the French players sank after the break, suffocated by the defensive intensity of their Canadian opponents, who were also unfolding their attack.
A terrible cold shower which already places the French in a painful position, faced with the obligation to win against Latvia on Sunday. So inevitably, the mines were closed at a press conference…
” It was a pretty horrible game for us, even though we were still in the game at half-time. But we started the second half very badly and as soon as they took the lead, we sank » thus noted a Vincent Collet a little haggard, when Evan Fourniercruder, added more simply: We got his ass kicked. »
Blues surpassed in desire and intensity
Rare satisfaction for this very pale French team with its 21 points (32% of the points), even if the aggressive defense of Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort limited it to 3 small points in the second half, the rear of the Knicks particularly regretted the ease with which his team crumbled under the physical impact of Canada.
Like this enormous domination in the offensive rebound (15 catches for the Canadians against 5 for the French).
” They played very physical, challenged our systems and ultimately made us play against nature. And they ended up overwhelming us. The second quarter was just the start of our downfall added the French scorer.
From now on, the course is therefore fixed on Latvia, easy winner of Lebanon (109-70). After such a rout, the French players must imperatively react and remain united, to save their group stage…
” You just have to win. We have to play better, recharging the batteries and maintaining confidence. We took 30 points, but we remain a good team », then concluded a disappointed but not defeated Evan Fournier, when Captain Nicolas Batum added: “ It’s a good entry slap, but maybe that was needed. We have to stay together. »
