As expected, this first round of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers is a short walk in the park for the Blues, even if, in the absence of its stars, France often has to wait before making a difference.
In the Palais des Sports in Dijon, Vincent Collet’s troops thus began by losing a lot of balls (7 in the first 7 minutes, 9 in all in the first quarter), leaving their opponents to take the lead (9- 17) and annoying the tricolor coach, forced to take a time-out to wake everyone up.
It is thanks to its depth that the France team was able to pick up and regain control of the match, even if Diogo Brito (15 points) managed to keep Portugal in contact (37-33) at halftime.
What followed was, on the other hand, a long ordeal for the Portuguese, overwhelmed in the physical impact and under the circle. Back, Mathias Lessort signed a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) while Louis Labeyrie (15 points) and Mam Jaiteh (10 points) also hurt the Lusitanians, who will also suffer the awakening of French shooters.
Last called by Vincent Collet, Sylvain Francisco (8 points) made a good first impression, and France finally won quietly (94-56) to point to three wins in three games.
Portugal and France will meet on Sunday, in Porto (6 p.m.), the Blues can already validate their ticket for the second qualifying round, much more difficult since it will be necessary to cross Lithuania, Bosnia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. A second phase which will be played in August and November 2022, as well as in February 2023.
