The France team ended its qualifiers at EuroBasket 2022 with a heavy defeat against Great Britain (73-94). Vincent Collet’s men, already qualified, did not exist on the floor of the Bemax Arena. They still saved the point average to finish first in Group G.
Already qualified for EuroBasket 2022 thanks to their two-point victory over Montenegro last Saturday, the French team played almost nothing in their match against Great Britain on Monday. Fortunately because it was largely bowed (73-94). The only stake between these two already qualified selections was the first place but for that, the British had to win by at least 23 points against the men of Vincent Collet. An unlikely scenario when you think of the recent history between these two countries: an invincibility of 33 years and a victory of 23 points last November in favor of the Blues. In the last minute, Marc Steutel’s men could have achieved the unthinkable. They finally came up against a French team which very quickly had only that to play.
Britain quickly took off
Faced with a serious selection that wanted to wash away the affront suffered in Pau a few months ago, France has never led in the score. Worse, she was quickly dumped. The gap has exceeded ten units after six minutes of play and has never returned below (7-17, 7th). Thomas Heurtel’s teammates lacked accuracy and skill. They stumbled upon a less talented British selection who played with their weapons: physical intensity and inner domination.. Manceau Ovie Soko was the symbol with 27 points and 7 rebounds. Everything smiled on him during a second quarter where the gap reached the fateful bar of 23 units (21-44, 17th).
The Blues saved the essential
Vincent Collet did not hesitate to speak of pride to motivate his troops during a time-out. Intermittently, the Blues were able to raise the tone in defense and score award-winning shots thanks to Maxime Roos (9 points to 100% on shots), who celebrated his first selection, or Yakuba Ouattara (12 points). Isaïa Cordinier once again tried to play the detonators (12 points) and Mathias Lessort brought the answer inside (15 points). In vain. Successful thanks to Myles Hesson and spectacular with Tarik Phillip’s dunks, the British were well ahead. Too many to be caught but ultimately not enough to finish the qualifiers in first place in Group G. Fortunately for the Blues who throughout their stay in Podgorica were content to provide the essentials. And they did.
BASKET – EURO 2022 (M / QUALIFICATIONS) / GROUP G
Day 6 – Monday February 22, 2021
France – Britain : 73-94
Montenegro – Germany: 8:00 p.m.
Group G ranking
1- France 10 points
2- Great Britain 10
3- Montenegro 7
4- Germany 6
