We know the program. Five months before the start of the Tokyo Olympics (July 24-August 9), the French basketball federation revealed, Tuesday at a press conference organized at Insep, the festivities awaiting the two tricolor selections. A busy, intense and noted program as desired by the staffs.
"We wanted to face big opponents to prepare for the best," said Vincent Collet, coach of the Blues. We know that friendly games are used to prepare and calibrate. Facing the best teams therefore allows us to have indications that serve us for the competition. Playing the world champions twice (Spain) is a very good thing. "
LOUUUURDDD https://t.co/euQbux01Yi
- Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) February 18, 2020After the traditional recovery course in Pau, Rudy Gobert's partners will cross the Pyrenees to face Spain in Malaga on June 30. The best enemies of the Old Continent will meet on July 10 for an exceptional day at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris. A match between the French and Spanish women's teams is also on the program for this day. The highlight of the preparation and a real basketball festival in Paris.
Exceptional press conference this Tuesday at @ INSEP_PARIS in the presence of the coaches of the French Teams 🇫🇷 5X5 and 3X3. The preparation program for the Olympic Games has been unveiled (➕ info: https://t.co/lX4pd5xd6u) #ObjectifTokyo pic.twitter.com/aSvK1JWJKq
- FFBB (@ffbasketball) February 18, 2020The bronze medalists at the last World Cup have planned to play six games during their month of preparation. "We have to face the imperatives of the NBA which reduce the preparation time", explains the coach who recalls that in 2016 the preparation had been even shorter due to the TQO in Manila. An internship in China, with a duel against the United States for a revenge from the quarter-final to the last world (French victory 89-79), is also on the program. But the situation could evolve due to the Coronavirus.
"High ambitions"
"We don't know much, like everyone else," explains Patrick Beesley, general manager of the France team. It is recommended to wait until early March, if the peak is reached it suggests that things will be settled in July, otherwise it means that the risk may develop. The two selections approach the summer meeting with "high ambitions", announces the coach Valérie Garnier. The Blue, who won their sesame during the TQO in Bourges in early February, will participate in their third straight Games. They took the silver medal in 2012 before failing at the bottom of the podium four years later.
Same speech for Vincent Collet. "We are aiming for the podium with the best possible place, but there are six or seven teams that can claim it," said the coach. I remain modest but with the ambition to return medalist. "
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In addition, the two 3 x 3 basketball selections will also try to win their tickets for the Games at the Olympic qualification tournament in Bangalore, India from March 18 to 22. "For girls if we pass the TQO course I think we will have a good chance of being a medalist at the Games," announces Richard Billant, coach of the teams in France. Among the boys, we realized the surprise by being vice-champion of Europe but there is a strong foreign competition because we have to face professional teams. We are outsiders but we can make shots. It will be the first appearance of 3 x 3 basketball at the Olympic Games.
THE TEAMS OF FRANCE PROGRAMS
GENTLEMEN. June 23: start of the first preparation course in Pau June 30: Spain-France in Malaga July 5: start of the course in Paris July 7: match to be confirmed July 10: France-Spain at the AccorHotels Arena July 14: start of the course in China (to be confirmed) July 15: match in China (to be confirmed) July 17: France-United States in Shanghai in China (to be confirmed) July 20: France-Argentina in China July 26: start of the Games
LADIES. June 9: start of the first internship in France (location to be determined) June 17 and 18: two matches (to be determined) June 24: start of the internship in Spain June 28 and 30: two matches Spain-France July 7: start of the internship in Paris July 10: France-Spain at the AccorHotels Arena July 13: start of the internship in Australia July 14 and 16: two matches Australia-France July 20: Japan-France (location to be determined) July 25: start of the Games