It played out for nothing.
From a loss of the ball, an interception or a shot which sees the ball rolling on the circle before coming out.
The French team under 19 touched, tickled, came close to the feat Sunday in the final of the World Cup in the category which was contested in Riga in Latvia.
Against the United States, big favorites, the Bleuets of coach Frédéric Crapez led the score for a long time before cracking at the end of the match (83-81).
For these tricolor kids the disappointment was immense.
It was enough to see the frustration, rage and sadness on the faces to realize it.
The U19 men lose in the final of the World Cup against the United States (81-83) and are silver medalists 🥈
Congratulations on your journey 🙌 # FFBBProspects # FIBAU19
- FFBB (@ffbasketball) July 11, 2021
But the injury of the leader Matthew Strazel (already holder with Asvel at 19) and the exit for 5 faults of the giant Victor Wembanyama (2.19 m) made it easier for the Americans in the last minutes. When he is on the ground, the former Nanterre player, who has signed up for 3 seasons with Asvel, is a massive deterrent. His long arms annihilate American attacks. The youngest of the team - he was born in 2004 and most of his partners in 2002 -, who has a bright future on the other side of the Atlantic (he is regularly announced first choice of the NBA Draft in 2023), has long worn the blueberries.
His high altitude duel with Chet Holmgren's 2.15 m, announced No. 1 in the Draft… in 2022, kept his promises.
The native of Chesnay, in the Yvelines, ends the game with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 blocks.
Phenomenal but insufficient to dominate the American armada which won its 8th world title.
🥇🇺🇸🇫🇷
Victor Wembanyama shook the circle and France is ahead in the final of the World Cup FIBA U19.
🏀
Quick, join us on @CanalplusSport pic.twitter.com/BuhB6Ovey8
- CANAL + Basket (@CanalplusBasket) July 11, 2021
For France, this presence in the final of the tournament was a historic first.
Two years ago, the Bleuets of the time won bronze, already a first.
Despite the defeat, this generation, where Jayson Tchicamboud also plays (son of the former international and Euro 2011 silver medalist Steed Tchicamboud), has set a date for the future.
“I couldn't get us to the end.
Yet so close to the goal… In any case, thank you to everyone, to those who supported us from start to finish!
Vice world champion despite everything, ”tweeted after the match Matthew Strazel.
