From our special correspondent at Bercy – Against all odds, the French basketball players managed to defeat the Canadians in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games (80-73). After a group stage during which they did not particularly shine, Vincent Collet’s men raised their level of play. Supported by the public, they flew towards the last four.
Published on: 06/08/2024 – 20:04
4 mn
Facing the Canadians, the French basketball team was not the favorite. But the Blues defied the odds and dominated their opponents in the quarter-finals of the Olympic tournament, Tuesday, August 6, in a superheated Bercy hall. Final score: 80-73!
After being largely dominated by Canada during the last World Championships and during their preparation for the Olympic Games, the French looked pale before this meeting against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates. Because the Canadians, themselves, were sparkling during the group stage organized in Lille by remaining undefeated, while Vincent Collet’s players had to fight to reach Paris and the quarter-finals.
Accept Manage my choices
A demonstration in the first half
But after having faced much criticism, and also disturbed by public tensions between Evan Fournier and his coach Vincent Collet, the Blues have shown a completely different face.
The French coach proposed an unprecedented five by leaving out pivot Rudy Gobert, who has been struggling since the start of the Olympics with only 6 points, as many rebounds and three turnovers per match on average. A choice that proved to be profitable.
The tricolors quickly stifled their opponents with a fiery Isaïa Cordinnier, author of 13 points, and an equally dazzling Guerschon Yabusele with 12 points in the first half. Canada relied on its lethal weapon Gilgeous-Alexander (13 points), but found itself trailing by 16 points at the halfway point.
Hold the shock
After the break, the Canadiens approached the game with better defensive dispositions and gradually got back into the game. But Yabusele, still as efficient and sharp as ever, kept his team afloat, allowing the Blues to have an 11-point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.
The French team then held on, despite a Victor Wembanyama, NBA rookie of the year, who was very transparent in attack. The 2m24 giant, the attraction of the French selection, only scored seven points. Evan Fournier, however, concluded the party with an anthology three-pointer one minute from the end of the match.
“It was the fun part of the game,” commented one of the heroes of the match with a huge smile. “It was more fluid. It was better. Vincent gave us a speech before the game that galvanized us. He has motivated us for two days. He put a very good game plan into motion,” added Evan Fournier who has put the controversies of the last few days behind him.
Accept Manage my choices
The players put things on the table to trigger a click. An opinion shared by leader Andrew Albicy: “A lot of things happened. We talked among ourselves. We talked with the staff. We made small changes that were beneficial. It was mainly the state of mind. We were starving. We didn’t give up from start to finish. I think we all saw that the intensity was different.”
Encouraged by their supporters, the French proudly secured a place in the last four. To hope to reach the final like in Tokyo in 2021 where they won silver, they will have to defeat the Germans on Thursday who beat them in the last match of the group stage. For Evan Fournier, the Blues have proven once again what they are capable of. According to him, everything will lie in “the determination with which” they must play.
