Paris (AFP)
French basketball players snatched the victory in the last second against China, 73 to 70, in their last game preparation for the Euro Sunday in Rouen.
It was the Franco-American Bria Hartley who managed the decisive three-point basket to seven tenths of the mermaid. The leader (19 points, including 17 in the second half), who will play his first big tournament with the Blue, has relaunched a team in great difficulty for most of the game.
Because, despite the victory, this last break-in four days before the start of the Euro has not really reassured.
During three-quarters of the match, the French were clumsy, poorly organized in attack and dominated the rebound by Chinese women of good level but who are not among the best in the world. Les Bleues had beaten them last year for fifth place in the World.
It took the address of Marine Johannès (23 points, his record in blue) so that the Chinese do not fly.
"We had a hard time finding rhythm because we had not played for eight days, especially because of our reaction and the desire of the players to go and get this match and the energy that prevailed," commented the coach Valérie Garnier at the microphone of RMC Sports.
The indoor Sandrine Gruda, spared in the first games because of a thigh injury, made his return to the competition. Logically missing rhythm, she scored three points.
The French finish their preparation with four victories (Ukraine twice, Russia after extra time, and China) and two defeats against Turkey and Serbia.
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.
? 2019 AFP