The French basketball players have struggled to defeat Russia (74-67), already eliminated, but in a game without stakes, Wednesday, September 9 at the penultimate day of the first round of Euro 2015 in Montpellier.
This fourth success of the Blues, still unbeaten, has no consequence for the top spot since it will take them anyway beat Israel Thursday (21 h) to achieve their goal.
The European champions would do well to win this game that should allow them to avoid Spain in the fourth round and face an opponent a little less tough (Turkey and Germany).
A friendly match almost
They may need to show another face that against Russia, which despite its first three defeats and many absent players (Victor Khryapa, Timofey Mozgov, Alexey Shved), posed problems for them.
The slave selection is far from the level that had him allowed to dominate the continent in 2007 and claim the bronze medal at the Olympics three years ago. And she had suffered cruelly in preparation, August 9 in Villeurbanne, against the Blues who had conducted a demonstration (93-55).
But Tony Parker and his band started that game, almost friendly on the brake pedal. A failed password “TP” to Boris Diaw and two missed free throws by Rudy Gobert gave confidence to the Russians, uninhibited and clever three-point (4/7 in ten minutes).
They took off with two bombs Vitaly Fridzon (8-17), author of 11 points in the first quarter (20 in total).
The gap is even mounted to thirteen lengths in second quarter (18-31) on a boom Semyon Antonov. Gradually, the French have resurfaced under the leadership of Mickaël Gelabale success in the relay Nicolas Batum, always address failure (1/5 in about 12 minutes).
Parker takes things in hand
Rudy Gobert did speak his defensive ferocity with three interceptions and one against. And despite the approximations of Evan Fournier (two turnovers in 8 minutes), the French have made a series (16-5) that allowed them to get back up to almost half (34-36).
After the break, the Blues managed to pass before then dig a small gap through Batum, who found a little skill (42-38). The Russians do not let loose, provided the piece. And it took Tony Parker, author of “air ball” a few minutes early, take things in hand.
The leader of the San Antonio Spurs found the flaw behind the arc before drilling the Russian defense to put his front (53-52). The public was awakening a little and “Allez les Bleus” resounded in the Arena of Pérols to push safe French nothing before the last act.
“I do not like this mentality”
Anxious to keep energy for Thursday’s duel, coach Vincent Collet preferred to give playing time to his successors and to blow Parker. Five minutes from the end, the Blues had always late, after an award-winning basket Nikita Kurbanov (64-58). But Charles Kahudi, the shadow man in defense, met him and showed his progress and shooting (64-60).
Joffrey Lauvergne Colo Nando continued the tricolor series (10- 0) to return to their clan (68-64) less than two minutes remaining. The game was so lively and the audience roared with pleasure before a “alley oop” Rudy Gobert (74-67).
The Blues have not exulted at the end of the match. Tony Parker, laconic, merely congratulating the bench, that “was very very good.” “It’s a good win now we have to focus for tomorrow.” Florent Pietrus was more succinct: “I do not like that mentality. When you play a game, you play background. It was a challenge not just meeting, but must be used for work automation and defensive systems. “
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