Returning to action briefly ten days ago, the French team did not miss its big start to the school year.
After the trauma of the last World Cup, the Blues showed seriousness and compensated as best they could for their barely emerging automatisms. In particular by rediscovering their fundamental defensive values.
In any case, this is the message that emerges from the first episode of the new season of the Team France web series. A beautiful production by Tommy Hombert which takes us behind the scenes of this last window, shared between Finistère and the Balkans, between Brest and Tuzla.
Admit failure
With two victories in the bag, against Mario Hezonja's Croatia first, then Dzanan Musa's Bosnia, and therefore an ideal start in these qualifying phases for the next EuroBasket, which will be held in September 2025, never easy to maneuver .
“We failed last year,” explains Vincent Collet before the matches. “We often say that we don’t fail, we learn. What I know is that we have [surtout] failed ! Me, the first. It is very important to recognize that this is a failure shared between the staff and the players. We have all, at some point, made mistakes. To succeed, we must have a team with players who know what sacrifice is. […] We've done it before, so we know how to do it. But we have to do it better! »
With the Olympic deadline fast approaching, Vincent Collet and his staff took advantage of these European games to put things back on track and give new impetus.
Which also means testing new players, including Nadir Hifi (moved from Nationale 3 to the Blues in four years), Matthew Strazel and Zaccharie Risacher (unfortunately injured in the nose in the first match).
“If your individual performance is average, but the five, when you are on the pitch, is brilliant, you score points,” warns the coach. “More than if you are good on your own, and when you are on the field, the team goes down. You all need to be convinced of this! »
Warm atmosphere in Tuzla
In the warm atmosphere of Tuzla, the Blues were able to put into practice the collective credo of their staff.
“Bosnian basketball respects the French team, that’s why they oversold the room. They are ready to do a feat. They did it a year and a half ago. Compared to the behavior and attitude we had on Friday, it wasn't enough! Tonight, we need more, and then we run! »
Still under threat at half-time, the message is tripartite, but crystal clear: “The rebound first. The same defense. And a little more lucid in attack! »
The defensive performance of neo-captain Andrew Albicy particularly stood out. Just like the XXL performances of the interior players, Vincent Poirier and Guerschon Yabusele in the lead.
“A big congratulations, the objectives were achieved, and first of all by the return of our defense. The French house stands on its own defense first and foremost. We have very often had the best defense of qualifiers, not only in Europe, but in the world! And there, we left on these standards, at 62.5 points”concludes Vincent Collet. “This is the start of our construction for this summer. Everyone will have to understand that it is at this price, whoever they are. Betclic, EuroCup, Euroleague, NBA: the same! »
