French basketball players are close to the feat against the Americans

Published on : 07/08/2021 – 06:43

It did not go far, but the Blues must be satisfied with the silver medal. The French basketball team lost 82-87, Saturday, August 7, in the final of the tournament against the Americans.

Carried by the best striker in the world Kevin Durant, author of 29 points, the United States led the final almost from start to finish, but the French never gave up.

Nicolas Batum and his teammates came very close to the feat, but they lost too many balls. The Americans, always so realistic in attack, have benefited greatly. The Blues also suffered on free throws and lost too many opportunities to pick up the score.

An Imperial Kevin Durant

If they had started their matches on diesel, before going into steamroller mode, to bluntly dismiss Spain in the quarterfinals, then Australia in the half, Gregg Popovich’s players did not expect as much against those of Vincent Collet, yet in the lead (12-6) after four minutes. Moment at which Kevin Durant came out of his box, to chain the baskets in all positions and give wings to “Team USA”, whose lead peaked at 13 lengths (39-26) eleven minutes later.

Author of 21 points at the break, almost half of his team, “KD”, who personally sought a third Olympic gold medal after the victorious campaigns in London and Rio, was more discreet after returning from the locker room. It was Jayson Tatum (19 pts) and Damian Lillard (11 pts) who definitely made the French fold, carried by two players who play in the NBA, Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier (16 pts each).

“I am proud of this team”

In tears at the final whistle, Rudy Gobert immediately recovered at the microphone of France Televisions, delivering his analysis: “These are small details, there are times when we lost our concentration we gave them too much There are these small periods where we give them rebounds, easy counter-attacks, that’s what costs us the game.

“The Americans had a big game. Kevin Durant is an exceptional player,” also reacted his teammate Evan Fournier after this game. “I am proud of this team, we really had a great competition. We beat them in groups,” he insisted, recalling the victory of the French in the opening match. Despite the disappointment, the back of the Blues wants to learn from this largely successful tournament: “There is the European Championship next year, the World Cup in two years and then Paris. Every year, we go up. The step narrows. I hope we will hit them. “

Thanks to this victory, the Dream Team, version 2021, won its 4th consecutive Olympic title, its 16th coronation in 19 Olympics. On the French side, this setback is the third in the final after those of 1948 in London and Sydney in 2000, each time against the United States.

With AFP