DECRYPTION – Everything you need to know before the EuroBasket final between France and Spain this Sunday (8:30 p.m.) in Berlin.
Where and when to see Spain-France?
After the small final between Germany and Poland at 5:15 p.m., on Canal+, the Blues will face Spain at 8:30 p.m. to win the title of European champion, at 8:30 p.m., on Canal+ Sport 360 – the last match of the France team commented by George Eddy – and clearly on M6. A meeting to follow live commented on our site.
What course for the two teams?
After being surprised by Germany (63-76) in opening, the Blues dominated Lithuania (77-73), Hungary (78-74) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (81-68) before losing against Slovenia (82-88) of a Luke Doncic on fire (47 pts). Three victories and two defeats for the French on alternating current in this group stage, finished in third place. Which French, blessed by the gods of basketball, then dismissed Turkey (87-86 ap) and Italy (93-85 ap). Miraculous! The qualification against Poland (95-54) in the semi-finals, on the other hand, owed nothing to chance… Show of force.
If not a hitch against Belgium (73-83) in their third match in the European Championship, the Spaniards have won four victories in their group (Bulgaria, Montenegro, Georgia, Turkey) before oust Lithuania (102-94), Finland (100-90) and Germany (96-91), not without difficulty, it must be said.
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What history between the two nations?
France-Spain, Spain-France, quite a story… This Sunday, it will be the 79th duel between the two best enemies of European basketball, with a record clearly favorable to La Roja: 52 wins to 26. Since 2011, it is still worst: 13 Spanish victories, two French successes. But what successes… The Blues had dismissed Marc Gasol and company in the semi-finals of Euro 2013 before overcoming Spain in full in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Madrid, without Tony Parker or Nando De Colo. Beyond the figures, France-Spain is an exacerbated rivalry, even if Lorenzo Brown has some catching up to do. “I don’t know much about this rivalry but I’ll do some research on the internet when I get back to the hotel“, released the naturalized leader Friday, after the qualification against Germany. The experienced Rudy Fernandez (37 years old) will tell him all this… Otherwise, the Tricolores will take care of showing him this Sunday, from the first contacts. Although, Evan Fournier believes that “the rivalry with Spain is more about the elders. Friday evening, Boris (Diaw), it looked like he had become a player again. He wanted to put on his shorts, his shoes and put on some sprigs“, he laughs. And to add:We are aware of the history but I have no hatred against them in my heart.
What record at the Euro?
Present in the last four for the 11th time in a row at the Euro, Spain is aiming for a fourth European title after those of 2009, 2011 and 2015 for what will be its tenth final. France is only at this stage of the competition for the third time. Defeat in 2011, against Spain therefore, and the coronation in 2013, against Lithuania.
The players to follow in this final?
Exit Sergio Rodriguez, Sergio Llull and Ricky Rubio, finished the Gasol brothers. It was a renewed, rejuvenated, brand new Spain that showed up on the starting line at EuroBasket 2022. A Spain that can always count on a certain Rudy Fernandez (37), the latter having often played naughty tours to France in the past. It will especially be wary of the Hernangomez brothers, Willy and Juancho. Pelicans player in the NBA, the first named is 28 years old. He is the best scorer (17.6 pts / game) and rebounder (6.8 rbs / game) of the Spanish team. Two years his junior, his brother wears the colors of Denver, also in the NBA. He has averaged 11.4 points (3rd) and 5 rebounds (3rd) since the start of the competition. Aged 32, the naturalized US point guard Lorenzo Brown discovers Fiba basketball this summer. First attempt in the form of a masterstroke: 15.4 points (2nd) and 7.1 assists (1st) on average. On the side of the Blues, the NBAers Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier are obviously the players to follow, the tauliers. Gerschon Yabusele is on fire (15 pts/game). We imagine that the ex-Barcelonian and Madrid native Thomas Heurtel will be keen to show himself too.
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Who is favourite?
Before the start of the tournament, most observers cited Slovenia, Greece or Serbia among the favorites for the coronation. France too. Not or little this new Spain, post-golden generation, even if the coach Sergio Scariolo is still there. A Spain that we did not expect there. Opposite, France, bronze medalist at the 2019 World Cup and silver last summer at the Tokyo Olympics. A France that has reinvented itself after the Parker generation and the failure of Euro 2017, even if it is deprived of Nicolas Batum and Nando de Colo this summer. Fournier, Gobert and a large base of medalists from Tokyo, it’s solid. All under the command of Vincent Collet, in office since 2009 and who will put on a seventh medal this Sunday. Clearly, there are more certainties, experience, talent on the French side. “France will be the favorite“Said Polish winger Aaron Cel on Friday, before knowing the poster. May the basketball gods hear the Orleans native. In any case, the main French sports betting sites are ALL of his opinion. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, of course. Spain is respectable. In France, we are (too) well placed to know.