Montpellier - The French basketball players, despite a somewhat cagey end of the match because of a lack of address, dominated a strong and valiant Polish selection (69-66) thanks to their defense during their third game of the Euro-2015 on Monday in Montpellier.
With this third win in three days, the Blues have already qualified for the knockout while they still have two games left against Russia Wednesday and Thursday against Israel (2100 for both).
The objective will be to reap new successes to keep the first place in Group A and avoid too tough opponent in the next round.
For, in Villeneuve d'Ascq, the Blues will cross a resident of the terrible Group B (Spain, Serbia, Germany, Italy, Turkey ...) in a meeting, what is more crucial on the road of the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Russia, with its three consecutive failures, is on the precipice. Israel, after its two success seemed to show its limits against Bosnia (84-86 AD) that El Tri have swept Sunday (81-54).
These two games are on the ropes of the Blues who have confirmed their status as favorites against Poland, a husky team, especially in the paint with giant NBA Marcin Gortat (2.11 m).
- Record broken for "TP" -
The "Polish Hammer" (10 pts, 11 rebounds), his nickname, set the tone early with against muscular on Nando de Colo, before Tony Parker (16 pts) will bat on his first basket the points record (1030, now 1046) in the history of the Euro, which he co-owned since yesterday with the legendary Greek Nikos Galis.
It was the rare moment of joy offered in the first quarter-time to the public, who cheered the leader of the San Antonio Spurs. Then, the Blues have suffered from big physical volume of Poles and hardness they put in defense.
The spectators at the Arena of Pérols had to wait 17 minutes before you see the Blues finally take advantage of a feat in two of Rudy Gobert.
The Utah Jazz pivot was initially repulsed an offensive Gortat before concluding against the attack of his own with a tap (25-23). The Blues were then in a proper sequence, with 12 consecutive points, including two award-winning baskets gunner De Colo who was finishing this series (28-23).
- Gobert and De Colo are the job -
In advance halftime (30-26), the French have been able to rely on the strength and talent of Gobert after the break. "The Wall" (the wall), one of whose nicknames affublent American commentators, has made life difficult for Gortat its cons.
One interception and two dunks of former Choletais have enabled France to distance (38-30). Poland appeared to become dangerous when the shooter Adam Waczynski ignited by scoring three award-winning baskets in just two minutes (48-44).
At the end of the third quarter (52-47), the Blues still led but their serious lack of success behind the arc (2/13) prevented them to kill the game.
"Even if we do not want to abuse the three-point shots, it must still be more. Thirteen shots tempted, it is not enough," said the coach Vincent Collet, pleased that his players had lost some balls ( 9).
The metronome De Colo has given the margin of his clan with two consecutive baskets (58-51). But the Poles are again close (65-62).
Parker missed a password could be expensive but the leader of France caught up in the aftermath (67-62) before missing two free throws at the wrong time. Fortunately for the Blues, Gortat missed the basket of equalization in any end game (69-66).
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire