Basketball: without Fournier, the Blues impress against Lithuania

No Evan Fournier, no problem. Deprived of their offensive leader, spared due to a sprained ankle, the Blues of basketball disposed of Lithuania (90-72) this Wednesday, in Orleans, as part of their fourth preparation match for the Cup of the world (August 25-September 10). Solid defensively and often brilliant offensively, which doesn't spoil anything, the promising French team made a very good impression against the most highly rated opponent it encountered this summer (Tunisia, Montenegro, Venezuela). Five players with 10 points and more, Gerschon Yabusele (15 pts), Rudy Gobert (14 pts), Nando De Colo (13 pts, 8 wt), Frank Ntilikina (11 pts) and the excellent Nicolas Batum (10 pts). Promoted to compensate for Fournier's package, Joël Ayayi, he played his first minutes in Blue.

False start for coach Collet's men in this meeting, the area taking on water (2-7). Gobert and company, however, were quick to regain color (12-9). Big duel under the panels, much more intensity than in the last games: the Blues aimed to rev up with this double confrontation against the Lithuanians, and that's what they were entitled to (16-19, then 18- 19 end 1st QT). Five balls lost after 10 minutes, but a Batum already in the oven and in the mill, very impactful in all areas of the game. The CO'Met was not mistaken. The two teams went blow for blow until the break, big fight, big defense, with the vista of De Colo as a bonus, the talent of Okobo, and always "Batman" in the good shots. The Blues were racing in the lead and accelerated again before the break to return to the locker room at 12 after a final dunk from Yabusele (45-33 MT). Strong.

Solid before the break, France left on the same bases (53-33). Better, in fact. Everything succeeded for these overexcited Tricolores, against dominated Lithuanians. There will have been up to 21 points ahead for the locals. Enough to kill the suspense, despite the awakening of visitors (62-50). The return of Batum made it possible to contain the recovery of Lithuanian form. The score after the third quarter? 71-50. Enough to see coming. Still as attractive collectively, the Blues flew to victory, their fourth in four matches (90-72 final score). They will find these same Lithuanians on Friday, in Vilnius, for revenge. Then, detour to Paris, where they have an appointment with the media, before heading to Asia and in this case Tokyo, where they will challenge Japan (August 17) and Australia (August 20) . Canada at the World Cup will be on August 25.