Mission accomplished for the France team.
But it was hard... After a defeat against Germany on Thursday (63-76) and a reassuring success against Lithuania on Saturday (77-73), the Blues doubled the lead against Hungary on Sunday (78-74) , in Cologne.
They are second in Group B, tied with their next two opponents, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia (2 wins, 1 loss), and need only one victory to secure a place in 8th. of final.
The first four are qualified.
Lithuanians and Hungarians are on the edge of the abyss (0v-3d) while the Germans, alone at the top of the group, are already in Berlin (3v-0d).
Reputed to be the weakest opponents on paper, the Hungarians took advantage of the weak moments of a French team dominated in offensive rebounds (8-9) and who lost 20 balls.
"
We had times when we gave everything and others, a little less... When you stop playing with your heart for a little while, anything can happen... Fortunately, we were able to stay tough at the end and win the match
", analyzes Rudy Gobert (15 pts, 9 rbs), pointing to the "
small relaxations
" which have "
restored Hungary's confidence
".
Note the good defensive impression of the five majors of the day, the third in three outings at the Euro, with Andrew Albicy (2 pts) and Terry Tarpey (2 pts) alongside Gerschon Yabusele (17 pts) and Evan Fournier (12 points).
10 points for Vincent Poirier off the bench.
A whirlwind start, but...
The Blues started seriously (6-0) and quickly put Hungary on the ropes (19-5), Gobert and Yabusele torturing the circle at leisure.
Alas, France lost in intensity and seriousness over the minutes and... the rotations, with for example six ball losses in the first quarter, relaunching Hanga (18 pts) and company (19-16, then 21- 16 end 1st QT).
Not used at all against Lithuania, M'Baye put his nose to the window with two pluses from the start (27-24) but these devilish Magyars were now confident in this exercise (6/12 to 3 pts in 1st MT ) and remained in contact (29-28).
The turn of “TLC” to feed the scoring with 7 points in a row, before a great inspiration from Malédon for Poirier (38-31).
But France fell back into her failings,
lacking patience and discipline to end the half (40-39, then 42-39 MT).
"
Defensively, you have to be more focused
”, summarizes “TLC” on
Canal +
.
A loss of ball to start, Hopkins from afar, forgotten defensive rebounds (42-42)… It's quite the opposite that we saw on recovery, with a big mouthful from the captain.
And a big reaction from the Blues, aggressive, physical, solid (54-42).
The Hungarians were still entitled to a small “run” (56-50) before taking the broth (65-50).
Too much pressure, too much height, too much bench depth for them.
There was +14 at the end of the third quarter (67-53), but the Blues made the blow of the breakdown offensively and gave the stick to be beaten (72-67).
Fortunately, Hungary was not able to make all the French errors pay, but this distant arrow from Hanga brought them back to possession with 1'03 to play (74-72).
That of Vojvoda, after a new loss of blue ball,
didn't fall in.
No more than Albicy's two shots with 15 seconds to play... Another foul on the rebound and Yabusele, he was clear (76-72), before a quick dunk signed Allen (76-74) and two throws from Fournier (78-74).
Another rebound for the excellent Tarpey (+/- to +24) and it was finally in the pocket (78-74 final score).
Bosnia and Slovenia to follow
Next meeting ?
It will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday (2:30 p.m.).
A victory and the Habs will be in 8th.
Then, Fournier and company will complete the first round with much tougher opposition against Luka Doncic's Slovenia on Wednesday (5:15 p.m.).
Although, the Slovenes, beaten by… the Blues in the semis of the Olympics last year on a legendary counter by Nicolas Batum, were surprised by Bosnia (93-97) on Sunday.
Distrust, therefore.
But the Blues do not need to be warned, they who bit the dust against these same Bosnians five days before the start of the Euro, in Sarajevo, in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup (96-90 after ).
A warned Blue is worth two?
We'll see that.