Toulouse (AFP)
Two days after his failed debut against Turkey in Pau (74-69), France has shown seriousness and prevailed largely in front of Tunisia (94-56) in their second pre-season game for the World Cup in China. (August 31-September 15).
A big dose of enthusiasm, the success of Evan Fournier (17 points), more presence in defense and some dunks of Rudy Gobert or Vincent Poirier ... for fun, allowed the Blues to confirm their supremacy never denied in front of Tunisians who had been beaten Tuesday by Turkey (64-54).
There was never any suspense in this meeting where the men of Vincent Collet broke away after a first quarter time (19-16) hung.
After the announced package in the day of the Barcelona leader Thomas Heurtel (patellar problem), the question of his replacement will arise. The young leader of Villeurbanne, Theo Maledon (18 years), until then simple partner of training and integrated in the team for this match, showed that he was candidate and that one should not perhaps go to seek among reservists.
He signed some class actions as a jewel of interception followed by a dunk (33-21, 26) and managed a two out of two to three points. Not to mention beautiful offsets, especially on Amath M'Baye for another shot at three points (43-27, 28).
The federation said it would give the name of the replacement of Heurtel in the coming days.
The Blues are now entitled to four days of rest. On August 12, they will begin the second phase of their preparation in Lyon with meetings in Villeurbanne against Montenegro (August 15), Brazil (August 16) and Argentina (August 17).
The departure for China is scheduled for August 22 with a new series of friendlies against New Zealand (August 24), Italy (August 24) and Serbia (August 27) before entering the running in the group G in Shenzen in which they will face Germany (September 1st), Jordan (September 3rd) and the Dominican Republic (September 5th).
© 2019 AFP