After their trip to Podgorica, the Blues, at the top of their group, will host Hungary at Mouilleron-le-Captif (Vendée) on Monday, to complete the first of two qualifying phases for the World Cup (August 25 - September 10, 2023 ), co-hosted by the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

"The goal is also to keep space for the young players who will replace the old ones, so that we have leads. Behind this window, we will announce the preselection for the Euro", which will take place from 1 to 18 September in Germany, Italy, Georgia and the Czech Republic, said coach Vincent Collet.

Only three Olympic vice-champions of Tokyo, the leader Andrew Albicy, the interiors Vincent Poirier and Petr Cornelie, are summoned for these two meetings against the Montenegrins and Hungarians.

As always during the qualifying windows, Collet must deal with absences and rely on a bis or even ter team where players have, however, the opportunity to stand out for the next international deadlines.

In addition to the return of young Théo Maledon, 21 years old (5 selections), leader of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Elie Okobo (24 years old, 8 caps), leader champion of France with Asvel, is also part of it.

"It's been a very long season with ups, downs and more ups. Today, I'm very happy to be part of this gathering of the French team for these two big qualifying matches," said the latter. .

French insider Vincent Poirier dunks against the Czechs at the Tokyo Olympics in Saitama, July 28, 2021 Thomas COEX AFP / Archives

Aim for the perfect balance sheet

Also note the presence of the Monegasque rear-winger Yakuba Ouattara (30 years old, 16 caps), finalist of the Elite, or even the interior Mouhammadou Jaiteh (27 years old, 28 caps), author of a excellent season with Virtus Bologna, winner of the Eurocup (C2).

"The trap would be that the players begin to have a personal objective in order to be able to qualify for Eurobasket but they know very well, through the message that Vincent (Collet) sends, that we judge them on their ability to play in team, to bring something to the group", underlined the manager of the Blues Boris Diaw.

The match against Montenegro will take place at the Moraca sports center, known for its warm atmosphere, on Friday.

With four successes in as many games, the French team has already qualified for the second qualifying phase.

The challenge is to finish with a perfect record, the points of the first round being kept in the second where the Blues will find in particular Lithuania.

Monaco back and Yakuba Ouattara and Asvel leader Elie Okobo, opposed in the Elite final on June 25, 2022 at Astroballe, will play against Montenegro JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK AFP / Archives

"The group for the second qualifying round (K) is quite strong, that's why we must recover the most points before," assured Albicy, 32, one of the finalists of the last Olympic Games.

© 2022 AFP