“We know that Sunday’s match against Latvia will be in the elimination round. We are aware that our backs are against the wall. It’s up to us to change our mindset and I think the rest will follow.”. Let’s hope for the French team that Rudy Gobert is right. This afternoon, at 3:30 p.m. (live on beIN Sports 1), the Blues are already playing their future in this World Cup. A defeat against Latvia, and it is the humiliation to return to France earlier than expected.
Slapped against Canada, Evan Fournier and his teammates will have to prove that they have character, and only a big victory will really allow them to revive and reassure. With the manner if possible, and as underlined by Gobert, with another state of mind. Because the spanking received against the Canadians was only the consequence of a match taken from the wrong end with a disappointing attitude. “We spent our time complaining. With this mentality, we are not going to go very far. warned the Wolves pivot.
Davis Bertans, 6th man
On paper, France is superior to Latvia, deprived of Kristaps Porzingis and Janis Strelnieks. Except that the Latvians play without complex, and they did not give a gift to Lebanon: 109 points scored, a victory of 39 points and a beautiful 18 out of 35 from 3-pointers. Latvia even offers itself the luxury of using Davis Bertans as a sixth man, and it is his brother, Dairis, who is the number one danger: 20 points at 7/8 on shots against Lebanon.
“I am very happy with this opportunity because I am already 34 years old and have played for Latvia for most of my life. To finally be able to compete in the World Cup is just amazing.”, says Dairisthe eldest of the siblings by three years. “Playing with my brother has always been special, because we come from a very small town in Latvia. Growing up, we couldn’t even imagine that. So being able to play together on basketball’s biggest stage is amazing. I know our parents are very proud, as they should be. »
France remain on five wins in a row
Under the eyes of Porzingis, authorized to stay with its partners, Latvia has nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s the opposite of the Blues, and it can play in the heads. For Fournier, interviewed in The Teamthe Blues must “Play a French match, as we have done in the past”. Leader of the attack, the rear of the Knicks ensures that “There’s no point in worrying” but he also warns that the Latvians “have the weapons to put us in trouble. It’s up to us to do better, to be physical. » It is on the rebound that the Blues must show something else, in the desire to lock the racket but also to seek second chances.
The good news is that France remain on five wins in a row against Latvia. But the last date of 2016, and no Blue of the current workforce was on the floor!
LATVIA
Holders: Arturs Zagars, Rodions Kurucs, Dairis Bertans, Rolands Smits, Andrejs Grazulis.
Rotation : Davis Bertans, Arturs Strautins, Klavs Cavars, Aigars Skele, Anzejs Pasecņiks, Arturs Kurucs and Kristers Zoriks.
FRANCE
Holders: Nando De Colo, Evan Fournier, Nicolas Batum, Guerschon Yabusele, Rudy Gobert
Rotation : Sylvain Francisco, Terry Tarpey, Mathias Lessort, Moustapha Fall, Elie Okobo, Isaiah Cordinier, Yakuba Ouattara.
LAST OPPOSITION
Friendly Match 2016: France – Latvia 89-72
TELEVISION
3:30 p.m. live on beIN SPORTS 1
