2023-08-23 08:39:20
The captain of the Blues takes stock, by video-conference from Jakarta, a few days before the start of the World Cup.
The Blues ready for the World Cup : «Yes, almost. It’s hard to judge when you start a competition because there are always things to correct, to improve, and that’s normal because you only have a month of preparation. But given the effort, the work put in by everyone and the atmosphere, the group cohesion, we are clearly ready to attack the tournament in the best possible way. Collectively, we are in very good spirits.»
Even more excited knowing that this is one of his last competitions with the France team : «Yes and no. I try not to put too much pressure on myself about it. I had the chance to experience a lot of things in the France team. Yes, it will definitely be my last World Cup, I will try to enjoy it to the fullest, but if I start thinking about it, it can be very dangerous. I’m just going to make sure I get the best possible result, play it hard and do something that’s never been done before, and help my teammates be in the best shape to do something really big. It will be very complicated. Even if there are a lot of absentees, it’s very tough, and even more so for us with our journey… I’m leaving with a view to being focused on the job to be done rather than my last World Cup.»
I play differently, I’m more cerebral.
Nicolas Batum
The role of captain : «With Nando (De Colo), we have some experience. If we talk about me, I have significant experience in international competitions. It will be my fourth world and my 11th international competition. I no longer have the same role or the same physique as 10 years ago for example, when I was younger, more athletic and faster. I play differently, I’m more cerebral. I try to have this very lucid side, much more composed, calmer in what I have to do, show the right choices, the right things to do in the collective. We have such a strong, athletic team, with a lot of guys who can do a lot of things. My role is to show the good things, potentially to calm down, to connect all the links. I like this role, it also allows me to still be competitive and to be part of the keys to this French team, to be able to play. I knew how to adapt to a new role, apparently I like it and it works for the moment, so good.»
The objectives of the Blues : «Better than the bronze of 2014 and 2019? That’s the point ! That’s why we’re here, that we come to the France team with pleasure, that we sacrifice things. But a lot of teams want to go where we want to go. There are a lot of very strong teams aiming to go all the way to the top, at least on the podium. In addition, our path is not easy at all… It is not because we have won seven medals over 10 years (12 in fact, editor’s note) that as soon as we enter a competition, it is guaranteed, no. You have to go, you have to play and work hard. We reminded the “rookies”. We have very high goals. It is up to us to achieve them. We won two bronze medals in a row, we want to go higher, but it’s up to us to do things right to try to fulfill our expectations, those of all of France.»
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Team USA and the rest of the competition : «They have the best defender of the year in the NBA (Jaren Jackson), All-stars, players who have a maximum contract, All-NBA, a five-star coaching staff… In short, they have everything to win. It’s still Team USA, and maybe the best roster every time, player by player. Obviously, they will be dangerous. It remains a favorite team. Afterwards, Germany has shown very good things since last year, especially in preparation. I watched their game against Canada, it’s very impressive. Australia remains a candidate, the Canadians also even if they are novices, Spain remains Spain, us, Slovenia with Luka (Doncic), Lithuania always present in major competitions… This will be noted. There are a dozen teams that can claim a medal. That’s also what we play for, the competition, the challenge. You want to play at the top level and against big teams. It won’t be easy and that’s what will make things even more beautiful… or not (smile). We hope.»
After bronze in 2014 and 2019, Nicolas Batum wants even more in 2023. Federico Pestellini / PANORAMIC
Sylvain Francisco : «His integration was easy. It’s someone who fits into the group, somewhat in the same vibes, the same delirium as this group. It wasn’t a problem at all. Whether on or off the pitch, he brings something different, something that we haven’t had in the France team since I’ve been there, let alone in this position. He brings a madness, an athletic side. It’s something that will bring us. He fears nothing. He’s not the biggest, but he might be the one who will want the most on the pitch. Leaving with a guy like that is always a joy, you know you can count on him no matter what.»
We had the same big black spot, unfortunately a red thread for Vincent (Collet) since the start of the preparation (smile), with the defensive finishes in general.
Nicolas Batum
The room for improvement of the Blues : «You can’t be ready by creating a new group in three weeks or a month. Impossible ! Progress will continue day after day, game after game. We will continue to be stronger no matter what. The more the adversity will increase, the more we will have to progress, concentrate, work and correct. The team we have now is less strong than the one next week. It’s normal. Afterwards, we have certain achievements, we have a certain confidence in what we want to be, what we want to do and what we want to offer, what we need to improve. We had the same big black spot, unfortunately a red thread for Vincent since the start of the preparation (smile), with the defensive finishes in general. It will be very important, even essential, from the first match, or even the first two matches in fact. Latvia almost only shoot three points, so the rebounds will be very long. We can’t count on Rudy (Gobert) to get everything. It will be very important to get on this from the start of the competition. We have a defense in place, but if we leave 10 more shots per game to an attack like Canada’s, it can be complicated for us…»
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First round opponents : «We experienced that with Victor (Wembanyama) or Frank, with last minute absences, but Canada must do without (Jamal) Murray and Latvia without (Kristaps) Porzingis. Canada has a “first team All-NBA” guy (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)! They have two or three very strong guys. The starting five and the rotations are very strong. The Scrubb brothers (Thomas and Philipp) are not necessarily known, but they are quality players for having followed them for a while. It’s an impressive roster and it will be a great first battle. We have already experienced it before, it does not necessarily scare us, but we will have to be ready to attack. Latvia can be a trap game. We could say to ourselves that it will be much simpler without Porzingis… It will have to be avoided. Lebanon, same thing. We will have to avoid bringing back bad memories, with the defeat in Japan at the 2006 World Cup, be serious, respect the opponent and do what we have to do. If we want to approach the second round in the best conditions, we will have to be focused and show that we are a team that has won three medals in a row (World, Olympics and Euro), a team that counts and that knows what it is has to do in those times.»
Statements taken at a press conference
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