first setback for the Blues in Montenegro in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup

The French basketball team, certainly deprived of its stars Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum, suffered Friday in Podgorica in Montenegro a first defeat 70-69 in the race for the World Cup-2023, which does not however prevent it to retain the lead of his group ahead of his evening opponent.

Very clumsy at long distance (1/15), Vincent Collet’s men had previously won their first four matches, and remain first in Group E of the Europe zone for qualification for the 2023 World Cup, ahead of Montenegro (3 wins – 2 losses).

Poirier, Okobo and Maledon show up

Despite a good game from pivot Vincent Poirier (18 points, 12 rebounds), and leaders Elie Okobo (14 points at 7/11, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) and Theo Maledon (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), the Blues failed a few centimeters from victory… those who missed Elie Okobo’s ball to enter the circle on a three-point attempt at the last second.

Led by eight points at the start of the last quarter, the Blues had nevertheless managed to catch up, without finally managing to get rid of the Montenegrins, led in particular by the interior Nemanja Rodovic (15 points at 7/9) and point guard Jonah Radebaugh (12 points, 6 rebounds).