First match and first victory for Freddy Fauthoux at the head of the Blues for this 3rd day of Eurobasket 2025 qualifying. In Nicosia, his protégés managed to defeat the Cypriots (75-59) thanks to a boost placed by Yoan Makoundou in the last quarter.
Faced with Cypriots determined to make life difficult for them, the French had to hold on to make the difference. Despite Nicolas Lang's 3-point entry, the opposing zone defense caused problems for the Blues. However, there was a good passage from Axel Bouteille and the alley-oop between Hugo Benitez and Jean-Marc Pansa to conclude the first act at +5 for France (15-20).
The Cypriot exterior address is there
On the nerve, Cyprus managed to get back in front, going up to +4 on a basket in transition from Konstantinos Simitzis (29-25) until France raised its voice, in defense in particular, in order to finish the first halftime by an 11-2. Adam Mokoka showed the way with an interception enhanced by two points on the counter-attack, then with two baskets including a lay-up in transition just before the buzzer, enough to allow his team to breathe a little at the break (31-37 ).
Axel Bouteille continued to fuel the score after returning from the locker room but Nikolaos Stylianou revived the locals with a 3-point shot, before being imitated by three arrows from Konstantinos Simitzis to put Cyprus back in the lead (50-49 ) ! At 8/19 from afar in the exercise after three quarters, Cyprus could still believe it!
The “Makoundou Show”
Put back on track by a mid-range basket from Hugo Benitez before attacking the last quarter (50-51). The start of a strong moment for the Bressan leader with two more points then an interception on a throw-in to offer a furious dunk to Yoan Makoundou (50-55).
The interior of Türk Telekom then secured the victory by making a decisive pass, taking advantage of an unsportsmanlike foul, before adding two more points on a free throw and crucifying Cyprus with a 3-pointer saving (50-62). Yoan Makoundou finished his show of strength with a final dunk in transition on a serve from Nolan Traoré (50-64).
Despite a little scare at the end of the match, Axel Bouteille in transition and Nolan Traoré at 3-point scored the two baskets necessary to secure the 75-59 victory after a final 3-pointer from Nicolas Lang.
The two teams will meet on Sunday at the Futuroscope Arena in Poitiers (5 p.m.).
Photo credit: FIBA.com
