Without NBA and Euroleague players, the French team provided the essentials in its two matches against Cyprus, winning two victories. In Poitiers, the Blues of Frédéric Fauthoux did not, as in Nicosia, crush the Cypriots, ultimately winning by 15 points (85-70), without ever having completely taken cover.
However, the first quarter suggested that this time we would be entitled to a quieter match but with very little training in the legs, and transport problems, we clearly felt that this version of the Team of France was groping, especially since she was unable to rely on her external address.
With a 6/28 from a distance, the Blues have never made the gap against Cyprus, while Yoan Makoundou (11 points, 5 rebounds) still made the Futuroscope Arena vibrate with two huge dunks!
Overall, it is thanks to the interior sector that Frédéric Fauthoux's players were never afraid, notably with 25 offensive rebounds (compared to 6 for Cyprus) for 27 points on a second chance for the Blues, compared to only 4 for their opponents, who for their part have focused everything on speed and fast play.
Jean-Marc Pansa and company thus made their size and weight speak in the racket when Nolan Traore had all the difficulty in the world finding the way to the circle.
The Saint-Quentin playmaker finished this second match against Cyprus with 8 points on 2/11 shooting including 1/5 from distance, 3 assists and 2 interceptions. He even missed a dunk at the end of the match. Same awkwardness for Noa Essenguewho is satisfied with 2 points at 1/6 on shooting, including 0/3 from afar.
