Paris (AFP)
In progress, the French basketball players won their second victory in Brazil in two days in preparation for the World Cup in China, 86 to 72, Friday in Villeurbanne.
The Blues have put a quarter-time to enter the match (-11), but the following has brought good news to the coach Vincent Collet the day after a success a little windy on Montenegro (80-72).
This time, Vincent Poirier (16 points, 8 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (13 points, including 4 dunks) imposed their size on the inside.
At the lead, a post overdue since the Thomas Heurtel forfeit, Andrew Albicy gave rhythm in attack and much worked in defense. The young Theo Maledon, tested for a possible place in the final list of twelve, was hit on the shoulder and could only play seven minutes.
Nando De Colo, embarrassed by a wound at the beginning of his preparation, went into power in the second half in the role of passer and scorer (9 assists, his record in the French team, and 13 points).
"We had a pretty solid game, in attack it was better than yesterday, we moved the ball and in the second half, we went up in intensity defensively," said the microphone of RMC Sports the winner of Euroleague with CSKA Moscow.
Delayed by five points at the break, the Blues made the difference in the third quarter (25-10). Amath M'Baye was decisive with three winning baskets during this period and scored points for a ticket to the World Cup.
The France team will play its final match of preparation in the Hexagon against Argentina Saturday, still at the Astroballe, before flying to China. It will play three friendly matches in Shenyang, in the extreme north of the country, next week, before joining Shenzhen, to the south, where the first game of the World will oppose Germany on 1 September.
© 2019 AFP