You don't change a winning team and, faced with NigeriaJean-Aimé Toupane leaves with the same starting five as against Canada: Marine Fauthoux, Gabby Williams, Valeriane Ayayi, Janelle Salaun and Marieme Badiane.
The Blues are skillful at the start of the match and quickly take the lead (11-4), forcing Rena Wakama, the opposing coach, to take a time-out. Gabby Williams multiplies the interceptions but Nigeria imposes its physical power by getting closer to the circle, and manages to reduce the gap, while Marine Johannès is clumsy.
Gabby Williams gives some air
After a quarter, France was only leading 24-20 and had a real scare when Marine Johannès landed on a Nigerian foot and remained on the ground for a long time…
Finally, the Blues' Steph Curry was able to take her place in the second quarter, even adjusting her sights.
The French team takes the physical impact of Nigeria in defense, but pays for it in attack. The Blues have a hard time scoring baskets, and Gabby Williams has to work to give Jean-Aimé Toupane's team some breathing room. At half-time, the gap is only +7 (38-31) compared to the “Lady Tigers”.
Gabby Williams started the second half as she had started the first, by stealing a ball. Les Bleues took advantage of Nigeria's clumsiness with the ball in hand to increase their lead, with a superb team move for a 3-pointer in the corner by Janelle Salaün, which put France back at +12 (45-33).
Marine Johannès puts on a show
However, turnovers prevented the French from increasing the gap for several minutes, even though Marine Johannès scored another 3-pointer and then made a superb pass to Dominique Malonga. Enough to put the Blues at +15 (54-39) at the start of the last quarter.
Even though her passes are sometimes too risky, Marine Johannès continues to punish from afar and the gap inexorably increases. France can thus unfold and finally win by +21 (75-54).
With their two victories, Jean-Aimé Toupane's Les Bleues are assured of being in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games. Indeed, with the results of Group A, they are certain to be at least among the best 3rd.
Photo credit: FIBA
