The suspense had already largely dissipated since their victory (90-65) on Friday in Lithuania. It is now a certainty. The France team will compete well in the next World Cup in Asia next summer. The last two qualifying matches scheduled for February will be played purely for fun.
Defeated in August by Bosnia (96-90 after extra time) in a Mirza Delibasic hall on fire, the Blues took their revenge on this opponent on Monday evening (92-56) in a sports hall in Pau which no longer had experienced such fervor for an international match for a while and whose 6,332 spectators ended up standing, chanting the Marseillaise. A success and a sesame for the next World Cup. The mission is accomplished for the “France bis team” devoid of its NBA and Euroleague players.
Since 2017 the Blues have a record of 15 wins and no defeats when playing at home in a qualifying match for an international competition. Vincent Collet’s players took the time to rehearse their ranges, hampered by the pressure of their opponents, before playing their score. Perfectly.
For his second game in blue – but certainly not the last – Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points (leading scorer) – including a 3-point shot on one leg – and 4 rebounds. A new performance for the nugget of French basketball who, before leaving the arena, had the honor of recovering the drum of the kop launched the final clapping with the supporters.