Bronze medalists at the 2019 edition of the World Cup in China, finalists for the 2021 Olympics then Euro 2022, the Blues begin their world campaign against Canada this Friday (3:30 p.m. French) in the heat of Jakarta (Indonesia), place of their first round (and possible second) before a potential final phase in Manila (Philippines).
Arrived with the costume of robbers four years ago, the birth certificate of this team – defeat in the semi-finals against Argentina after eliminating the United States – they have since taken the bottle. In Indonesia, they can also count on their wise Nando De Colo (36) and Nicolas Batum (34, captain), who had given up the last Euro in view of the World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. prodigy Victor Wembanyama, who preferred to rest for his first NBA season, and replacement point guard Frank Ntilikina, injured during preparation.
The pedigree of France thus makes it one of the many candidates for a competition with a hierarchy that is difficult to read. The United States, revengeful, are indeed without their stars, with a young team, horned by Steve Kerr, quadruple NBA champion at the head of Golden State, and led by the All Stars Edwards (Minnesota), Haliburton (Indiana) and Jackson Jr (Memphis).
Spain, reigning European and world champions, are deprived of their experienced leaders, Ricky Rubio and Lorenzo Brown, and Serbia of their two master assets, the MVP of the NBA Finals 2023 Nikola Jokic and point guard Vasilije Micic.
Australia (Giddey, Ingles, Mills) even Slovenia of Luka Doncic and Germany, in full progression (Schröder, the Wagner brothers), also act as serious competitors in the race for the world title.
« We don’t care about the noise outside, we focus on where we should step, step by step “, answers the native pivot of Saint-Quentin, Rudy Gobert (31 years old). “ For the adventure to be successful, it will be necessary to transform the test, to go up a notch to enter the competition “, for his part estimated the tricolor coach Vincent Collet.
Obstacle course
Especially since the draw offered the Blues a very full-bodied program, with one of the toughest groups in the first round and an entry into the matter from the north face, against Canada with its seven NBA players. And even without their leader Jamal Murray, NBA champion 2023 with Denver, the ambitious Canadians have beaten in preparation outside Germany then Spain.
He will miss their star Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics) to the Latvians, second opponents of France who, in the event of qualification, should find in the second round Spain and Brazil, winner of Australia two weeks ago. “ We will need several exploits to go to the quarters “Advance Collet, whose band should then cross swords with Australia, Slovenia or Germany, before a potential semi-final against the Americans.
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Everything you need to know
Who will succeed defending champion Spain? Argentina, the other finalist 4 years ago, is not in the game. But the USA, Canada, France or even Germany and Australia dream of taking their place.
► Which program?
1st round (August 25-30, 2 qualifiers per group)
Group A: Italy, Rep. Dominican, Philippines, Angola
Group B: Serbia, China, Puerto Rico, South Sudan
Group C: USA, Greece, New Zealand, Jordan
Group D: Lithuania, Montenegro, Egypt, Mexico
Group E: Germany, Finland, Japan, Australia
Group F: Georgia, Slovenia, Venezuela, Cape Verde
Group G: Spain, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Iran
Group H: France, Canada, Latvia, Lebanon
2nd round (September 1-3, 2 qualifiers per group)
Group I: 1st and 2nd A, 1st and 2nd B
Group J: 1st and 2nd C, 1st and 2nd D
Group K: 1st and 2nd E, 1st and 2nd F
Group L: 1st and 2nd G, 1st and 2nd H
Quarter-finals September 5-6; Semi-finals, September 8; Final September 10
►How many qualifying places for the Olympics?
Seven direct tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be awarded at the end of this World Cup (in addition to France, automatically qualified as host country for the Olympics). These will go to the best teams from each continent: Europe (2), Americas (2), Africa (1), Asia (1), Oceania (1). Classification matches are scheduled during the World Cup to define the final ranking order. The last four Olympic tickets will be issued during the last qualifying tournaments (TQO) which will take place next summer before the Games.
►Where to watch the matches?
BeIN Sports will broadcast all the matches while France Télévisions has obtained the broadcasting rights for the French team, only from the quarter-finals.
2023-08-25 06:12:21
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