Basketball World Cup: Collet wants to bring ambitious Canadians “to reason”

How much have you been obsessed with entering the World Cup over the last few days? Vincent Collet: Before the last few days: since they made their first (preparatory) matches in Europe a good fortnight ago. The first match is not decisive but can launch us into the competition. It's a big big chunk, for me on paper it's such a candidate team for the podium. It is a team that seeks to reveal itself, which has become a real team compared to two years ago. We feel that they want to prove and show things, they didn't just come for a little tour. They want to move up the hierarchy. They are somewhat in our situation a few years ago. We know that we will have to be present right away to bring them to their senses.

What's the key to beating them? There are several. You will have to be able to really defend compact, not let them play the game they love, one against one. They are probably, along with the Americans, the strongest team in the tournament in this area. It is quite rare for us because we have often been in this situation. We will have to defend collectively.

You are among the favorites and the players proclaim their desire to bring a first championship title to France. Should we calm this ambition? No, but create the conditions for it to be realized. Saying it loud and clear gives you (the media) food for thought and allows you to speak up if it doesn't happen that way, or if it does happen that way. But in reality that's not how it happens: we will have to be good from tomorrow (Friday) and better as we progress. I especially note that (this favorite status) is new compared to previous World Cups. It still means that there is an evolution, but we will have to justify the expectations.

Comments collected during a press briefing