In September 2022, the French team won miraculously against Turkey, to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Euro. Two years later, the two teams meet again tonight in Rouen (9 p.m., live on La Chaîne L'Équipe) in a completely different context. And with dynamics that are difficult to compare.
This is the first match for the Blues in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where they believe they can aim for gold. Where Ergin Ataman's squad should only play a supporting role. Already absent from the last World Cup, Turkey was eliminated from the Olympic race after being beaten last summer in the final of a pre-TQO held at home.
Absent from the Olympic Games since… 1952, the Turkish team will be at the Kindarena in Rouen without its NBA players (Furkan Korkmaz, Cedi Osman, Onuralp Bitim, Omer Yurtseven, Alperen Sengun). In other words, France, after a week of intensive work, should have the leisure to validate certain principles of play.
Five more days before the axe falls
Vincent Collet talks about this first match as a ” improved workout “. ” I don't expect anything very special. It's simply an integral part of our early preparation. If only for our selection which will arrive very quickly at the end of the week. Nevertheless it's not more important than what we see on a daily basis. “, the coach of the Blues downplays.
Day 5 ✔️
Eve of the first preparation match #TeamFranceBasket | #PassionatelyBlue pic.twitter.com/FGxJcsaU39
— French Basketball Teams (@FRABasketball) July 2, 2024
After this match against the 24th nation in the world, the French team staff will have only five days to decide on the group of 12 who will go to the Games. We use training but also the identity we want for this team. Which player can best suit the project? “, recalls the technician who did not yet know if he would line up 12, 14 or 16 players.
It should be remembered that Killian Hayes and Ousmane Dieng were already cut a week ago, while Vincent Poirier, injured in the ankle, had to withdraw from the rest of the events. Tonight in Rouen, it will be interesting to observe which of the four leaders in the running (Andrew Albicy – Théo Maledon – Frank Ntilikina – Matthew Strazel) will inherit the starting spot.
Gobert and Wembanyama get to know each other
And of course to see the promising pair of interiors at work: Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama. The biggest part of the work will be in attack for us even if I think we will have more responsibilities in defense. Defensively we have a great ability to cover our teammates and it happens rather naturally. In attack we are still learning to know each other “, admits the younger of the two.
Cheat code #TeamFranceBasket | #PassionatelyBlue pic.twitter.com/782qbkvDZz
— French Basketball Teams (@FRABasketball) July 2, 2024
The two interiors and the entire group still have time to find their rhythms. On July 6, the Blues will head to Cologne for a duel against Germany, the reigning world champion. With a return match against the Mannschaft in Montpellier on July 8.
On July 12, in Lyon, France will challenge Serbia, the reigning vice-world champion, before continuing strongly with two clashes against Canada and Australia, in Orléans, on July 19 and 21.
