The French team is relaunched in the European Championship. Completely recovered in the game and the state of mind, the Blues imposed themselves in a hard fight once morest Lithuania (77-73), Saturday in Cologne. And reassured themselves following their big miss in the opening once morest Germany, two days earlier in this same Lanxess Arena (63-76).
Faced with very solid Balts, who were also playing big following their defeat once morest the Slovenian defending champion (85-92), the French were spurred on by unexpected heroes (Moustapha Fall, Terry Tarpey) before snatching the decision on the end by their leaders, Evan Fournier (27 pts, 5 rebounds), Rudy Gobert and Thomas Heurtel.
“We were much more aggressive, appreciated Andrew Albicy at the microphone of Canal +. Those who came off the bench brought energy, it gave confidence to the guys in the major five who finished the game. This victory is good for morale. » Here are the Blues on better track with a view to qualifying for the round of 16, before facing Hungary on Sunday (8:30 p.m.).
-13
The Blues once more missed their start to the match, finding themselves 13 lengths (21-8) following 7 minutes of play.
However, they had to recover from a disastrous start to the match, which recalled their failed starts during the preparation meetings. Vincent Collet had once more changed his starting five, launching Thomas Heurtel in place of Andrew Albicy and Terry Tarpey for Elie Okobo.
The attacking game was much more fluid than Thursday, but the France team lacked efficiency like Heurtel, and proved unable to stop the Lithuanians with diabolical skill. In the crazy atmosphere of a room where some 4,000 Baltic supporters had taken place, the men in green managed seven of their first nine shots (21-8, 7th).
Fall revives the Blues
Everything changed, however, with the entry into play of Moustapha Fall. The giant (2.16 m), who returned from several weeks of absence through injury and had not played once morest the Germans, scored six points in two minutes, including a dunk following a superb duel once morest the star of New Orleans Jonas Valanciunas. And brought a precious point of attachment inside.
Evan Fournier was also back in business following his off topic once morest the Germans: 18 points in the first two quarters and a 3/5 behind the arc to start! The Blues made an express recovery, equalizing at 28-28 (12th) on an award-winning basket from the New York Knicks player.
The euphoria of winger Marius Grigonis (13 pts off the bench) allowed Lithuania to keep the controls (39-33, 38th), but the French were well transformed. Much harder in defense, setting a good pace in attack, they came back to 41-40 at the break and took the lead for the first time on a long-distance shot from Terry Tarpey (46-48, 24th).
However, the Blues found themselves struggling once more, less precise like Fournier, whose counter was stuck at thirteen minutes. Jonas Valanciunas (15 pts, 8 rebounds) took advantage of their absences on the rebound (56-50, 30th).
Evan Fournier back in business
In a tense fourth quarter, under the chants of Lithuanian supporters, Terry Tarpey proved why he had been the surprise guest of this Euro with an interception followed by a three-point basket for the equalizer (60-60, 35th).
It was money-time, boss time. Then, Evan Fournier took his responsibilities once more: a muscular interception, then an award-winning shot in transition to put the Blues back in front (64-67, 37th). Thomas Heurtel, hitherto out of address, scored two baskets in a row (64-71, 38th).
“If we play with this chemistry, it will be hard for our opponents
Terry Tarpey, rear of the Blues, at the microphone of Canal +
In a stifling last minute, where Rokas Jokubaitis kept the Balts alive by slamming two three-point baskets, it was the turn of Rudy Gobert, previously so discreet (8 pts, 4 rebounds in total), to be decisive. The future Minnesota player dunked on an offensive rebound (67-73, 40th) and converted his two winning free throws without shaking one second from the final siren (73-77, final score).
The France team won its fourth straight victory over Lithuania in the final phase for nine years and the final of the glorious Euro 2013 (80-66). Here it is back in place before the two matches a priori the most accessible of this group B, Sunday once morest the Hungarians (beaten at the opening by Bosnia, 85-95, and who faced Slovenia later in the evening) and Tuesday once morest Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It was still an away game, but I like it, smiled Terry Tarpey on Canal +. We started badly but we were able to find a second wind and rotations. If we play with this chemistry, it will be hard for our opponents. »
