After the slap received in Germany Friday (83-69) at the opening of qualifying for Euro 2021, the Blues - deprived of its NBA stars - caught up by coming to the end of Montenegro (85-66) this Monday at Vendéspace in Mouilleron-le-Captif (Vendée) for the second day. Despite the size of the gap, France, 3rd in the World Cup last year in China, made the difference thanks to a last impressive quarter-time.
What you must remember
After wasting 12 points in advance in the first act, the Blues recast a 10 point gap (55-45) at the start of the third quarter but the Montenegrins remain in the match thanks to a solid address on the winning shots ( 10 out of 25 or 40% success). Thanks to their solid duo of interiors Moustapha Fall - Guerschon Yabusele (12 and 13 points), the Habs inflict a crippling 14-2 at the start of the last quarter (60-57, 30th; 74-59, 34th) before spice up the bill at the end of the game.
Player: Guerschon Yabusele
The former strong NBA winger of the Boston Celtics has optimized his time on the floor by scoring 15 points (6 of 7 in shots) in just 18 minutes. Nanjing Chinese player Monkey Kings also added 4 rebounds and an assist. A very solid match for the former Nantes player who undoubtedly scored points in the mind of Vincent Collet in view of selection for the Tokyo Olympics in 5 months.
The number: 3
Like the number of points of the Blues (a victory and a defeat) after 2 days. France must finish in one of the first 3 places (if Germany finishes on the podium) of its group which also counts Great Britain. The next two days will take place on November 26 and 29, with a trip to Great Britain and then the reception from Germany.
The reaction
“We had something to prove after our defeat in Germany. We made efforts defensively. There is a new group. Our goal is to win everything ”
Amath M'Baye, strong winger of the French Team
