Paris (AFP)
French basketball players suffered their second defeat in three Euro preparation matches against Serbia 90-83, Sunday in Rennes, ten days before the start of the tournament.
The Blue lost Friday against Turkey (74-65) before narrowly beat Russia on Saturday after extra time (74-67). They started their campaign with two victories over the weak Ukraine and finish it against China next Sunday in Rouen.
The coach Valérie Garnier relativized the importance of these results by pointing to the microphone of RMC Sports that his team was "ramping up throughout the tournament (Rennes). "It's the details that make the difference, we let out rebounds, we lost important balloons and we were punished.The very high level does not support this kind of forgetfulness."
The Euro starts for France in Riga, Latvia, on 27 June, and should hopefully continue through the final phase in Belgrade. Silver medalist of the last three editions, she aims at least a new podium, with a very young team.
Valérie Garnier announced her list of twelve even before the match against Serbia. There are two players born in 2001, the leader Marine Fauthoux and the interior Iliana Rupert.
The team is deprived for this Euro of two experienced elements, the winger Diandra Tchatchouang and the pivot Helena Ciak, both injured. Strong winger Sandrine Gruda has not played in preparation but should be present at the tournament, which will start with a match against the Czech Republic.
Facing the Serbs, candidates for the podium in front of their public, the French came back after a bad first quarter (20-29) and were leading four minutes from the end before cashing a 15-6.
Marine Johannès and Endy Miyem were the best French scorers with 15 points, ahead of Alexia Chartereau (14 points) and Valerian Ayayi (13 points).
? 2019 AFP