There are 8 tenths of a second to play. France is led 63-65. Iliana Rupert is on the free throw line to tear the extension. She marks the first but misses the second. Spain is essential and France was released in the semi-finals of the euro. The epilogue is terrible, sad, heartbreaking, but did it deserve better?
The French team will not participate Sunday evening in its 11th final in a European championship. She will have to be satisfied in the afternoon of the little final that nobody wants to play. She will know her opponent in the evening after the other semi-final between Belgium and Italy.
Unlike at the start of the tournament, the girls of Jean-Aimé Toupane undefeated since the Olympic final against the United States have not controlled the most important match of the tournament. They missed the match that should not be lost.
During a half-time, the undefeated blue since the game final had had the hand on a game that was never simple. It is true that their opponents of the day were a caliber far above all those previous, qualification and final phase combined.
The Spaniards first hung on (18-18, 10th) before the Olympic vice-championes give themselves a little air to the break (38-31). Not enough to fall asleep on Greek laurels for the last 20 minutes. Especially not.
At the stage of peace and friendship, in Piraeus, the French tried on the return from the locker room not to let the Iberians gain confidence. It did not work very well. They certainly took 10 points ahead (43-33, 23rd). But catchy Spaniards have never been distant. Far too little skillful at 3 points, the Blue did not manage to make the hole to have a comfortable end of part.
Suddenly an attack in attack, too little skillful at 3 points (5/30), they actually died at once. The Spaniards took advantage of it, returned and took the advantage before the start of the money-time (46-49) after a bad third quarter (8-13) tricolor. It was necessary to react, and quickly. This is not what happened.
At the maximum of tension, the match has become intense, undecided, complicated, suffocating. The Spanish stayed in front, the Blue in contact but without success. Until this last second where everything could have changed. In vain.
It was the 67th France – Spain history. The Bleues always lead 34-33 confrontation but that does not matter at that moment. Spain remains the great black bane of French basketball, men and women together.
