The essential is done: after its heavy defeat against Canada (59-45), the French women's basketball team recovered against Mali (74-59), this Sunday in Sydney.
But the Blues lacked consistency before their last two group matches of the Australian World Cup against Japan (Monday) and Serbia (Tuesday), decisive for qualification for the quarter-finals.
While the Japanese (89-56) and the Australians (118-58) had crushed the Malians, the weakest opponents of this group B, the players of Jean-Aimé Toupane were satisfied with a victory by a small gap and are remained under threat almost to the end (8 points ahead only five minutes from the end).
And now, the reunion against Japan
This narrow success, however, revives the Olympic bronze medalists in this pool B. But they will undoubtedly have to show more consistency for 40 minutes and avoid experiencing such a wake-up call against the Japanese, who had blocked their way to the final there. a little over a year ago at the Tokyo Olympics.
In terms of individuality, in a match where Toupane caused a lot of turnover in anticipation of the last two group matches and then the possible final phase, the Blues were once again able to count on the contribution of winger Gabby Williams (14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists).
Marine Fauthoux was also invaluable, in defense (3 interceptions) and in attack (8 points), as well as the interior Alexia Chartereau (12 points in 19 minutes).
Despite still some waste, Iliana Rupert, still inside, is on the rise (8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks) after arriving only Wednesday in the wake of the WNBA title won with the Las Vegas Aces.
Sport
Women's Basketball World Cup: The French fall heavily against Canada in their 2nd match
Sport
Women's Basketball World Cup: Les Bleues make a success of their entry by surprising the Australian host
Sport
Basketball
France basketball team
mali
Women's Basketball World Cup