Vincent Collet’s Future as Head Coach of French Basketball Team Questioned After World Basketball Elimination

Vincent Collet finds it “normal” that the question of his future at the head of the French basketball team is raised by the press after the elimination in the first round of the World Basketball following the defeat against Latvia (88 -86), Sunday in Jakarta. He returned to several other topics in the mixed zone after the meeting.

For the moment, I have three matches left.

Collet, in office since 2009, is under contract until the Paris Olympics. Could the Indonesian rout be a game-changer? “I would understand it (that there is a reflection). But it’s not me who decides that. I am under contract although I am aware that there are plenty of times when a coach under contract is everything. the same cut. But it will be necessary to ask the leaders. For the moment I have three matches left (he smiles: one in the first round and two in the classification, editor’s note). But it is normal that this question be asked.

De Colo’s exclusion weighed heavily

Leader Nando De Colo was sent off 3 min 15 sec from the end, for a second unsportsmanlike foul on a gesture of humor when a foul had been called against him and the Blues were in the lead (75-66) . “Clearly, it’s the turning point of the match. We were starting to get our hands on the match a little. Beyond the points they scored live on this unsportsmanlike foul, it’s mainly on the follow-up, the management …”, said Collet.

“Honestly, there was a foul on him. Maybe she was also unsportsmanlike. But on the other hand, his reaction, I think, unfortunately, it can’t be otherwise (than whistling an unsportsmanlike foul).”

Focus on us

After the match, captain Nicolas Batum wanted “a big questioning”, including from the federation. “Before talking about that, we already have to focus on ourselves. It was a good feeling to announce the objectives loud and clear. But was it really realistic given the different seasons that could have been done this year?”, replied Collet.

A crumbling defensive identity

The Blues conceded 88 points against Latvia after taking 95 against Canada in the opener. “We made our medals on the defensive identity and there, it crumbled, if it has not disappeared, it crumbled. So we will necessarily have to start there” to prepare for the Olympics, said Collet . “We have never dominated the world with our attack. What made us win medals in recent years is the defense,” he added.

The Heurtel case evacuated

Leader of Euro-2022 where the Blues reached the final, Thomas Heurtel was declared ineligible by the federation after signing for Zenit Saint Petersburg when he had signed a charter, after the invasion of Ukraine , where he pledged, like the other internationals, not to play for a Russian or Belarusian club.

His absence was regretted by Captain Nicolas Batum. Would Collet also have wished to be able to count on him? “It’s not me who can answer you. I knew it before so it would be easy to say that I regret it when I knew he couldn’t be there. We must not move the debate.”

2023-08-28 12:33:00
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