It was certainly not the desired metal in preparation for the tournament, but the French basketball team was rewarded with the bronze medal, Sunday June 25, by winning 82 to 68 in the match for the third place of the Eurobasket against Hungary. Defeated by Belgium the day before (67-63), Les Bleues have preserved an impressive series of eight consecutive medals in continental competition since 2009.
Disappointed with their elimination in the last four, they who had reached the final in the last five editions, the French women dominated their opponents of the day from the start, ending the first quarter with a score of 26 to 8.
After a tighter second act, and a third quarter won by the Hungarians, Jean-Aimé Toupane’s players were pushed to solidify their defense. A paying strategy, to the detriment of the tricolor offensive sector.
Still looking for a title
Captain Sarah Michel did not score any points and the best scorer in the history of Les Bleues, Sandrine Gruda, an unfortunate little unit during this small final. The first played only seven minutes, and the second was in a less good day, the day of her 36th birthday. At the end of the match, she confided in the microphone of beIN Sports: “Playing this game was torture. I didn’t have the energy, the desire to play for that place. »
A rare situation, which notably benefited Montpellier’s Mamignan Touré, second scorer (20 points) behind the pivot of the Magyars, Virg Kiss (21 points on the clock).
In search of a title since 2009, and the victory of Eurobasket against Russia, the “Braqueuses” have still not found heirs, one year from the 2024 Olympic Games. A goal that veteran Sandrine Gruda always has in mind, she who would like to conclude her international career next summer: “The idea is to stop after the Paris Games. But the body must follow. »
Until then, the France team, made up of inexperienced players, will have time to erase its weak points, which will be eagerly awaited at home.