“A normal match will not be enough, we will have to achieve something.” Coach Vincent Collet set the tone before the French men’s basketball team’s quarter-final on Tuesday, August 6, against Canada at the Olympic Games. To reach the next round and hope to go for a medal like in Tokyo, the Blues will have to pull out all the stops.
French people in doubt. The preparation of Victor Wembanyama’s partners had been worrying and it was not this first round concluded in second place in the group that reassured. They were jostled by Brazil (78-66), miraculously defeated by Japan (94-90 ap) and largely dominated by the German world champions (71-85). All this while producing a game that was often limited in attack.
Frying on the line between Collet and Fournier. To make matters worse, Vincent Collet and Evan Fournier have publicly displayed their disagreements. Criticisms by the former Detroit Pistons player on French tactics have been judged “regrettable and unacceptable” by his coach, to the point of questioning his presence on Tuesday. Not the best climate to prepare for an Olympic quarter.
Canada is the favourite. For his part, Canada is the favorite. Full of confidence, the third-place finishers at the last World Cup have been able to count on their defense and an excellent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to have an immaculate run so far, with prestigious victories against Greece (86-79), Australia (93-83) and Spain (88-85).