Victor Wembanyama was not enough and the Blues concede a fourth defeat in a row against Australia in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The French basketball team lost in money-time (83-82) against Australia on Sunday in Orléans.

It was the last chance for the Blues to regain some confidence before the Games and after three defeats in a row. But against the teammates of veteran Patty Mills, the Blues did not succeed either. The French basketball team lost to Australia (83-82), bronze medallist in Tokyo, on Sunday July 21 at the CO’Met of Orléans.

After defeats against Germany, Serbia and Canada, this fourth failure, in the money timewill not allow the Blues to see things a little more clearly. Even if the meeting presented some sources of satisfaction. Notably Victor Wembanyama, almost in triple double (three statistics with 10 units minimum), and who responded present with 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

The two nations sized each other up for a long time during the first quarter and until the break. The Blues had trouble getting past the Australians’ defensive curtain and tried to exist through three-point shots with success (8 out of 17). A strategy that was maintained throughout the match with its advantages: 14 long-distance shots scored out of 31, the expression of an offensive success finally found. And its disadvantages: the Blues were often caught in the back by their tenacious opponents who were able to count on a great Patty Mills (24 points, two rebounds, three assists) but also on Josh Giddey (20 points, six rebounds, eight assists).

He was still the most scrutinized man of the match. As since the beginning of the preparation, Victor Wembanyama was invaluable in the French five, on both sides of the floor. He also slammed an impressive block two seconds from the buzzer, but did not score the winning basket. And as against Canada, “Wemby” was also able to rely on a great Guerschon Yabusele, author of a furious dunk at the end of the first period (10 points). However, more will be needed for the Olympic Games, where the Blues will face Brazil for their first match of the competition, on July 27.