Women’s Eurobasket: “Tonight, it stings a little”, the Blues beaten by the Belgians in the semi-finals

2023-06-24 23:41:17

Sad end of series for France. Present in the final of the Euro without interruption for 5 editions, since the 2013 edition, the Blue saw their series come to an abrupt, abrupt end on Saturday evening. In a Stozice Arena in Ljubljana (Slovenia), once again sadly almost deserted, they were beaten (63-67) by Belgium in the second semi-final of the European championship. Their incredible last stand and their comeback at the end of the match will remain in vain (63-65, 39th). It will eventually leave even more regrets. A defeat which will undoubtedly also revive the criticisms and the controversy born after the decision of Jean-Aimé Toupane to do without Marine Johannès, who left for the New York Liberty franchise at the start of preparation.

“We lacked consistency and greater defensive adaptation, we should have changed defense earlier, regretted Sandrine Gruda, top scorer for Les Bleues with 17 points, at the microphone of BeIN Sports. It was up to us to fight, we fell on a big piece, it was the favorite of this competition, but there are a lot of regrets because we could have taken this match. Our team showed character (at the end of the match), the future is promising, but today it stings a bit. »

After scoring the first points of the game, France is overwhelmed, overwhelmed. Best attack of the Euro (with an average of 89.3 points per game since the start of the tournament), Belgium is quick to confirm its status. The target is set and the baskets go by. Especially at long distance. Toupane’s players cannot go the distance and are already 10 points behind after 10 minutes (8-18). Best player in the competition, Emma Meesseman has already scored 12 points… 4 more than the total for Les Bleues. She will end the match at 24 units.

A game for third place against Hungary

Carried by the experienced Sandrine Gruda, France is catching up (23-28, 16th). Hope is reborn… But the “Belgian Cats”, the nickname of the Belgians, could just as well be renamed the red devils as they will put the Blues through hell during the 2nd quarter. They scored 7 3-pointers in that period. A real recital. A show of strength. Nothing seems to be able to resist them. At the break, the match seems already played (30-44, 20th).

Parties in Slovenia without Gabby Williams (injured) or Marine Johannès (choice of the staff), deprived of the interior Iliana Rupert (injured in the shoulder last Sunday) – that is to say 3 of the best players of the group -, the Blue ones however launch the revolt back from the locker room. Clumsy until then they find their address at the best time thanks in particular to Alexia Chartereau who plants 8 points in rank, including 2 shots from 3 points, and Marine Fauthoux. The defense finally becomes impassable. Hope is reborn at the start of the last act (49-54, 31st). The feat becomes possible again. The duel becomes unbreathable. Until the last second and a fateful loss of ball on an attack.

Before the match Rachid Meziane, the French coach of Belgium, announced that the winner of this match will become the “favorite for the finals”. For the Belgians, who face Spain, it would be a first. Les Bleues will not be European champions for the third time in their history after 2001 and in 2009. Jean-Aimé Toupane had assured before the Euro that any other result than a final victory would be “a failure” that he would assume. While waiting for possible decisions, its players will try to save the furniture with a bronze medal to be won against Hungary on Sunday (5 p.m.). It would be the 8th European charm in a row. It matters too. It will therefore be necessary to digest the disappointment of this defeat. At 13 months from the Paris Games, this setback must also be analyzed and serve as a lesson to move forward.