The dream came so close for our Bleuets… As in 2021, France lost in the final of the U19 World Cup. And as in 2021, it was played next to nothing. Long in the lead in the second half, Zaccharie Perrin’s teammates (14 points, 20 rebounds) lost 73-69 to Spain after extra time. Two numbers hurt a lot: the 28 lost balls, and the 10 missed free throws.
After a harsh and tense first half marked by 3-pointers from Rodriguez (18 points) on the Spanish side and the aggressiveness of Melvin Ajinca (21 points) for the French, France returned to the locker room with this improbable score: 29- 28! Blame it on the essentially blue clumsiness, but also on very aggressive individual defenses.
What clumsiness!
On returning from the locker room, the same scenario with the Blues losing ball after ball, and the Spaniards not taking advantage of it. It was finally a dunk from Alexandre Sarr, then a counter and a basket from Perrin which gave France a first break (39-34). Spain remains in contact with its throws and even returns in front thanks to Gonzales (40-39). Everything is to be redone for the Blueberries and it is Perrin, immense on the rebound and under the circle, who restores confidence to the French. Ten minutes from the end, France is in front (43-41).
The level of play increases, and Fisher responds to Rodriguez’s 3-pointer to leave the French in front (47-46). There are seven minutes left to play, and Perrin confirms his domination in the racket with the basket plus the fault (51-46). He is already at 20 rebounds, but France falls back into his ways. A back-door attempt falls into the hands of Spain, which picks up the score (53-52). There are four minutes left to play.
France misses two match points
Moment chosen by Bouzoudi to release a very complicated 3-pointer at the end of possession (56-53). And he is then imitated by Sarr, who sends a 3-pointer from the corner which knocks out Spain, forced to take a time-out (60-56). The level of play becomes incredible, and the 3-pointers rain down on both sides (63-59). And after Perrin’s exit for five fouls, it was Rodriguez who equalized with a shot from six meters in the corner. We think of 3-pointers, but it’s 2-pointers. Tied 63-63. There are 18 seconds left with the ball at Les Bleuets. Penda’s last drive comes to nothing. Extension !
And Spain is doing very badly with a 3-pointer with the board! And behind, the Blues fall back into their ways with stray balls, and even missed throws. Two minutes from the end, Spain is in front (69-68). The last two minutes are suffocating with missed shots, uncertain rebounds, and it is on free throws that this final is played. The Spanish arm does not tremble (72-69) while the Blues still lose balloons. On arrival, the Spaniards win 73-69, and the Bleuets will long regret these silly stray bullets…
