Evan Fournier with the ball in hand against Lebanon. WILLY COURNIAVAN/REUTERS
Defeated by Canada and Latvia, Vincent Collet’s men beat Lebanon 85-79.
The French national basketball team was very scared on Tuesday at the World Cup in Jakarta, narrowly avoiding a humiliating loss to Lebanon (85-79) after defeats against Canada (95-65) and Latvia (88-86), which is synonymous with a miserable defeat. elimination in the first round.
Faced with the 43rd nation in the world, previously crushed by Latvia (109-70) and then Canada (128-73), the Blues, who had come to Asia to claim the title, finally took the lead just over six minutes after the siren. . And the Lebanese were only three distances behind with a minute left (82-79) before captain Nicholas Batum’s game-winning shot thirty seconds before the siren sealed the win. They were even ten points behind in the second quarter (25-35) after a new conceded goal from Evan Fournier (3 at half-time).
Falling four distances early in the final period (60-64) saw them succumb to the Lebanese, who has long benefited from an apathetic defense, especially in breakouts where leader Wael Arakcji (21 points at half time), 29 in finally) enjoyed it.
Read alsoNotes of the Blues against Latvia: from Colo to Fournier’s mistake and Jabusele did their job
“Blues” without support
France played without a professional pivot after Rudy Gobert (ankle) and Mustapha Fall (toothache) withdrew from this match, and Matthias Lessort rested for the remainder of the competition after suffering an ankle injury that caused him to miss everything team matches. Preparation.
The Blues, who once again lost many goals (16), counted in the last quarter on the energy of Isaiah Cordinier (10 points in the end) and the talent of Eli Okobo (12 points), remained on the bench for some time. most of the match before being restarted by coach Vincent Collet.
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