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Jordi Fernandez: “I should have helped my players better”

Third in the 2023 World Cup and author of a perfect first part of the competition (three wins in three matches) in the “group of death”, Canada was advancing as a favorite for a medal. Especially with a quarter-final against France, in full doubt after its slap against Germany. But Jordi Fernandez and his men came up against a snag…

The Canadians missed their start, completely overwhelmed by the French intensity, by the muscles of the interiors, and chased this deficit throughout the game, without ever managing to equalize.

“I will always support my players. Personally, I take this defeat personally because I should have helped them better,” assumes the Canadian coach. “I could have done better by putting two point guards, by offering better shots, by playing with a better rhythm. I did not find the solutions.”

Jordi Fernandez tried, however, by multiplying the rotations, to correct a group that had been put under water during the first period. But there were too many whistles, too many throws for the Blues.

“We didn't know how to respond to their physical impact, their energy. Then, when we fought, it wasn't perfect,” he regrets. “We won the second period, conceding 16 and 19 points, which is more than usual for us. We are clearly disappointed. We didn't move the ball. We weren't good at rebounding, we made mistakes. But I appreciated the efforts of my players.”

“We have very good players who will be present at the next Olympic Games, and that's what we have to think about.”

Because if the referees whistled a lot against Canada, it is not only the consequence of the aggressiveness of Mathias Lessort and company. No, the coach believes that playing in Paris was not without consequences…

“We weren't booed in the same way,” he assures. “We sometimes play matches in front of a home crowd, with questionable refereeing. I understand, but it remains frustrating because some of the referees' explanations did not make sense. But that's how it is.”

As in 2000, their last participation in the Olympic Games, Canada therefore comes up against France at this stage of the competition. A logical disappointment given their ambitions.

“It won't be dramatic,” tempers Jordi Fernandez. “The players worked really hard, were involved to represent their country. It's obvious that we wanted a different result. That's sport. We have very good players, who will be present at the next Olympic Games, and that's what we have to think about.”

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