In the heart of an Arena Loire adorned with blue, white and red, the Blues faced Lithuania to decide which of the two opponents of the day would be crowned first in the qualifying group for the 2023 World Cup. A match not always very beautiful with a ending clearly hot, but a fiery atmosphere and above all a victory that sends France to East Asia in the best possible mood.
A crazy wind, to accompany the wait before entering this Arena Loire, an imposing concrete behemoth in the suburbs of Angers. It would take more to discourage the brave editors of TrashTalk, placed like kings at the edge of the field to offer you the best possible images. First observation, about five minutes after the arrival of the players of the France team: Victor Wembanyama is definitely the darling of the Anjou public.
The intensity rises. Focus too. @TrashTalk_fr pic.twitter.com/ppuH8XJ5xS
— Nicolas TrashTalk (@niclsvrg) February 26, 2023
A huge crowd to see the Alien stretching on the edge of the field, then to see him shoot. We almost forget that all his teammates are also stringing together the strings, with the firm idea of extinguishing a Lithuania on equal points in the qualifying group for the 2023 World Cup. same through as in the Czech Republic, where the Blues had taken a fare during a good part of the first half.
From the outset, the Lithuanians make things clear: “guys, you may be at home, but we’re not going to give it to you, it’s your victory“. The Blues advance in alternating current mode, linking very fluid movements and much more cradingues actions. Too bad, the “cradingue” in question quickly becomes the norm and the Blues find themselves led. Attempts to create are to be put on the account of an explosive Sylvain Francisco and a Victor Wembanyama already in highlights mode after two minutes this patient.
Alley-oop pour Wemby ! 💪🏼 @TrashTalk_fr pic.twitter.com/orUCxcM7tR
— Nass (@nass__34) February 26, 2023
The first to whom all this must have greatly displeased was Vincent Collet. Big blower, and it starts again: more offensive intensity, better defensive communication… what it takes to win a basketball game in fact. The little extra that was needed to wake up the 5,000 people present in the Arena Loire. Eh, on our side of the field, we are completely crazy too huh. The fact remains that the French team benefits from a rather weak Lithuanian address, because certain shooting spaces are still completely open. Come on, let’s say that without being fantastic, that’s enough to lead by 8 points at the break.
We set up one for the Barjots Dunkers, because the little Vendeans specializing in acrobatics made a mess in the room at half-time, treat. Still, on returning from the locker room, the same false rhythm sets in. And without being sharp to the point of returning to immediate shooting range, the opponent is not pushed to the offside either. Bodian Massa will once again have to come and ignite the audience to finally place the Blues at ten points ahead… before they crack again, too soft on transition.
And now only three points separate the two formations. Then two, then tie. Caca panties to come from the locals? We are clearly not far from it. Margiris Normantas – whose name only vaguely reminds us of an extra from a random TV series on the Vikings – is on fire and even puts his people in the lead with three minutes to go. Fortunately, the Arena Loire is growing. So much so that she was rewarded with a 5-0 from her soldiers, before Victor Wembanyama activated the beast mode.
Wemby TIME ⌚️🔥 @TrashTalk_fr pic.twitter.com/30BaW1aTgw
— Nass (@nass__34) February 26, 2023
Two crazy fadeaways and a completely mind-boggling defense on the wing to calm the Baltic ardor. He is only 19 years old, but already ten more in the management of this kind of shots. The Alien finished the game with 15 points, but with a statistically incalculable impact on the end of the game. France wins 70-63, not without being scared but at the end of a scenario that will ultimately delight all the fans present.
