Playing in the French capital for the first time since the 2024 Olympic tournament, the San Antonio Spurs center finished just shy of his personal scoring record with the national team, tallying 22 points and 9 rebounds.
A Packed Arena and the Rise of Wembamania in Paris
Despite heavy rainstorms hitting Paris prior to tip-off, 16,000 spectators filled the Bercy venue. Fans arriving in the capital traded raincoats for jerseys bearing Wembanyama’s name, featuring both his #32 national team kit and black-and-white threads marked with 1 and the Texas spur. The crowd roared in unison for the French national anthem, generating an electric atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the gloomy weather outside.
France entered the match looking to establish clear rotational chemistry following warm-up fixtures against Serbia. Head coach Frédéric Fauthoux opted not to start the pairing of Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, choosing instead to deploy Wembanyama as a pure center alongside Jaylen Hoard. Sylvain Francisco, Evan Fournier, and Terry Tarpey rounded out the starting backcourt and wing positions.
Fast Start and First-Half Control
The tactical choice paid immediate dividends. The athletic frontcourt pairing of Wembanyama and Hoard pushed France ahead 11-3 within the opening four minutes. Both big men connected from beyond the arc early, with Wembanyama hitting France’s first three-pointer of the night to ignite the crowd.
Wembanyama controlled the paint through the first two quarters, recording 14 points and 5 defensive rebounds before halftime. Operating occasionally from the post 4, the forward distributed passes and looked to find Gobert on interior lobs as the defensive rotations shifted.
Reserves injected energy off the bench as Fauthoux cycled through his roster. Amine Noua troubled the Slovenian defense with aggressive drives, while Matthew Strazel contributed 13 points—including 10 in the first half alone—capping the period with a buzzer-beater that sent France into the locker room with a comfortable 54-35 advantage.
Maintaining Momentum to Seal the Win
Holding a 19-point halftime lead—mirroring their earlier outing against Serbia—the French squad focused on avoiding late lapses. Wembanyama set the tone after the break in the same arena where he scored 26 points against the United States during the 2024 Olympic final.
Slovenia struggled to counter France’s interior length and perimeter activity, allowing the hosts to coast through the second half. By the final buzzer, the 92-67 scoreline confirmed a comprehensive victory for Les Bleus in the qualifications for the World Cup 2027.
Next Steps in the Qualifiers
The French national team continues its campaign through the qualifications for the World Cup 2027 with upcoming fixtures scheduled on the international calendar. Fans can follow official team updates and box scores via the French Basketball Federation.
What are your expectations for Les Bleus as the qualifying campaign progresses? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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