Ten years later, only two remain. Of the twelve French basketball players to have adorned themselves with gold in Slovenia, during Euro 2013, only Nicolas Batum and Nando de Colo are still part of the team which faces Canada, Friday August 25 (3:30 p.m. de Paris) at the opening of the World Cup, which is being played in Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan (until September 10).
“We are no longer young people”, philosopher Nicolas Batum. Captain of the Blues since the retirement of the Boris Diaw monument, the 34-year-old veteran had given up on the Euro in Germany last year. The experience and the binder of the “transmission belt” of the France team had been missed by the Blues; like those of Nando De Colo, also absent. Without its leaders with countless campaigns in the blue jersey – both started at Euro 2009 – the squad led by Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert made it to the final, before faltering against the Spaniards (88-76 ).
For this second world campaign in Asia, four years after having conquered the world bronze in China, the “tauliers” are back, and they are welcomed with open arms by the staff of the France team. “In an ecosystem like a team, each player has influence. The role of Nicolas and Nando is to be a little more influencers than the others, observes coach Vincent Collet. It puts everyone in their place. » The coach, who already has the experience of thirteen final stages of major competition, has seen real progress in the fluidity of the game and communication between the players since the return of his two former players. “It rebalances the team”summarizes the pivot Moustapha Fall, who is delighted, like the whole group, with the stability found thanks to the two European champions.
“Nothing replaces experience”
Only beaten on the wire against Australia (78-74), Sunday, in seven matches of preparations for the World Cup, the Blues have reintegrated the Los Angeles Clippers winger and ASVEL rear as if they had never left the team, and have big ambitions. While they have won bronze in the last two editions, in 2014 and 2019, the official discourse carried by Vincent Collet once again demands “a catwalk”. An almost cautious target for an Olympic runner-up nation – the Blues clinched silver in Tokyo 2021, having looked the all-powerful Americans in the eye in the final.
But for the most experienced coach in the history of French basketball, “It’s easier to go to the quarter at the Olympics [qu’à la Coupe du monde] ». This time, to be among the eight best teams in the world, it will be necessary to pass among others by Canada, Latvia, probably by Brazil and the European and world champions in title Spain. And come away with at least three wins against those four nations. “We mustn’t have any illusions, we will have to achieve exploits or at least great matches”warns Vincent Collet.
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