The France team missed the mark. Already qualified before this last day of the group stage of the World Cup, Les Bleues lost against Serbia (68-62), Tuesday, September 27, and take the risk of facing the United States in the quarterfinals. final. They no longer have their destiny in their hands and must hope for a Japanese victory against Australia to finish in second place in group B.
Indeed, the players of Jean-Aimé Toupane retain a last hope of avoiding the American ogre in the next round (or China). A draw will then determine the posters for the quarter-finals, with the selections finishing in the first two positions being guaranteed to face a team classified third or fourth.
Led for a large part of the meeting (30 minutes), the Blues nevertheless believed in it until the end. A miraculous shot from Marine Fauthoux (55-60, 36th), an award-winning shot from Sarah Michel (58-62, 38th) or even a basket from Alexia Chartereau (62-64, 40th) gave the Serbs some final chills . It was before Sasa Cado bent the meeting with a three-pointer with the board 25 seconds from the gong (62-67). She had however missed before (0/6).
SASA CADOOOOOO #FIBAWWC x @KSSrbije pic.twitter.com/Q2D0a3MoU3
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 27, 2022
Admittedly, the French almost pulled off the perfect heist, but the defeat is quite logical as they were constantly reacting. At the start of the match, they were initially stifled by Serbian defensive aggression. On the other side of the field, Yvonne Anderson feasted (9 points in the first quarter, 18 in total) to widen a first significant gap (24-10, 9th).
In the footsteps of Gabby Williams (12 points) and Alexia Chartereau (16 points) as well as the defensive contribution of Kendra Chery (8 points), France went 22-2 to lead the score (32-26, 26th). During this positive period, the offensive collective game followed that proposed in defense.
But the inconsistency was the same when returning from the locker room. Returning to the score again (from 39-46 to 46-46), the Blue suffered the address of Jovana Jogic (17 points) to see, again, Serbia fly away (46-57, 33 ‘). A new fatal gap for the France team, whose efforts to pick up the score for the umpteenth time were not enough.
She can harbor regrets against a Serbian team that has lost no less than 21 balls. But the French weakness identified with the rebound resurfaced as against Mali (74-59). In this key area, the Tricolores were largely dominated (25 shots against 44). Far too many to hope to win.
Following this defeat, the quarter-final is likely to be very difficult. The risk of challenging the United States is great. Three-time world champions and seven-time Olympic champions in title, the Americans are the immense favorites of the competition. Better to avoid crossing their path, in which case the World Cup could stop on Thursday (broadcast on France 4 and france.tv). France will be fixed in the draw on Tuesday afternoon.