The France team did the job.
Deprived of their NBA and Euroleague players, Amath M'Baye (24 pts), Axel Bouteille (15 pts), Isaia Cordinier (9 rbs), Andrew Albicy (9 pds) and the Blues have indeed quietly disposed of Great Britain (79-56) this Friday, in Pau, behind closed doors, as part of the qualifications for EuroBasket 2022. A success that allows them to take a big step towards the continental tournament.
Recall that the selection of Vincent Collet began his qualifying campaign with a defeat in Germany (83-69) before disposing of Montenegro (85-66), during the previous window, last February.
In view of the format of these qualifiers, you shouldn't go wrong at the Palais des Sports ...
There was no match, not for long ...
And Albicy and his partners were not mistaken, attacking this meeting with a knife between their teeth and opening the proceedings with a scathing 13-0 in just over four minutes.
Defense and skill: the keys to this perfect start to the match.
The British time-out did not change much to the case and the gap grew even more before seeing the “Great Britons” register their first points (15-0, then 15-2).
One of Team GB's two baskets in this first quarter (22-2, then 24-5 after 10 ').
Obviously, it could not last: the British defended stronger in the second (26-12).
France set off again and even put on a show, with Bouteille sending Lessort to the alley-oop (33-12, then 38-14) and the address from afar, again, with the neophyte Limougeaud Lang (44-17 ).
In the end, the France team led 46-20 at halftime, with already 16 points from M'Baye, 9 from Bouteille and already 8 assists from the captain of this team, Albicy.
Rider alone.
Alley-oooooop ⚡️ @ ThiasLsf # FRAGBR # EuroBasket
https://t.co/Y6WdqZVkd9pic.twitter.com/nJo5cQizka
- CANAL + Basket (@CanalplusBasket) November 27, 2020
“It is 100% due to the defense, judged M'Baye at the break, on
Canal + Décalé
.
We will have to come back with the same mentality in the second half. ”
Failed, with a slight false start (46-28).
Vexed, the French were not long in pressing the accelerator again (57-28) against the British who were finally level in the third quarter (17-16).
There was obviously no more suspense thereafter, even if Team GB did not give up, with a little relaxation among the Tricolores (66-49, then 79-56 final score).
“It's a good victory, relishes Bouteille.
We started very well and we continued the game.
Everyone contributed, everyone played well. ”
"The coach insisted a lot on the defense and we did it, it gave us rhythm and we executed well in attack", notes the Limougeaud Boutsiele, who honored his first cape.
Germany on the Sunday menu
The Blues will put the cover back on Sunday, still at the Palais des Sports in Pau, against a Germany that has nothing to hope or fear in these qualifiers: the Germans are indeed already qualified as host country.
The European championship will be played in Germany, Italy, Georgia and the Czech Republic from September 1 to 18, 2022. And everything suggests that it will be with France.
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