At the Fonix Arena in Debrecen, Hungary, the French team achieved a performance that will take a special place in its history. They eliminated the United States to qualify for the final of the U19 World Cup.
Need we remember that the Blueberries were deprived of Victor Wembanyama, Rayan Rupert, Sidy Cissoko, and Bilal Coulibaly busy with their entry into the NBA? That they had taken a Spanish lesson (69-88). But they were able to master a Team USA with comparable physical qualities, and not irresistible as their narrow victory over Slovenia (77-72) had suggested.
Interior Zacharie Perrin (18 points at 6/11 on shots and 9 rebounds, 26 evaluation), point guard Alexandre Bouzidi (16 points, 4 assists) and winger Melvin Ajinça (17 points, 3/6 to three -points) formed the magic trio with good passes from Zaccharie Risacher (13 points) and Alexandre Sarr (7 points and 3 rebounds).
France had lost the previous six matches against the United States at the U19 World Cup – including the 2021 final. -final (83-51).
Zacharie Perrin leads by example
The French were perfectly engulfed in the match, finding in Zacharie Perrin (2.07 m) from the France Pole the fatal weapon inside (10 points at 8/6 on shots in 8 minutes). The Americans set up oppressive two-man takes on the ball carrier, in particular Alexandre Bouzidi, but it was thanks to their three-point success that they kept up the pace by being led most of the first quarter ( 4-0, 9-5), which ended with a parity score (23-23). We had already seen that the players engaged in a contest of the most beautiful athlete so much they multiplied the prowess of the genre.
A little relaxation at the end of the half
Each time the Americans ventured into blue paint, they found support… The reverse was also true. We counted a total of 8 blocks in 15 minutes. The Bleuets led for a long time in this second act with a point at 36-30, but the momentum was then American with the leader of Arizona Kylan Boswell solid in the lead, and that is how the French found themselves with the biggest negative difference of the half, -3 for 41-44. This while they had demonstrated a skill far superior to that of the Americans (55.1% against 46.8%), but the latter had already been the author of 7 steals.
The cold blood of the French
The impermeability of the French defense was put to the test but the Bleuets held on, so well that they returned to the lead at 55-53 on a three-pointer from the new Burgien Zaccharie Risacher. Zacharie Perrin gratified us with a coast to coast: fiery defense, defensive rebound, crossing the field and fault obtained with converted free throws. Point guard Alexandre Bouzidi was excellent. The leadership in the score was alternated and this time it was the Bleuets who ended this 10-minute segment strong to lead 68-62 and 70-66.
The Americans continued to steal balloons and throw deadly fast breaks. And yet… The French showed remarkable composure. And took matters into their own hands. 80-78 (35th), 83-80 at 3’22, 86-81 at 2’35, on a three-pointer from Melvin Ajinça, the best young player in Pro B with Saint-Quentin, and the money time man. A counter then an inside basket from Alexandre Sarr was good. 88-83 at 1’18. We trembled to the end, but France won the coconut tree!
“We had a game plan before the game and we stuck to it. We did an incredible job. I don’t know how to explain this. I’m so proud of our guys. We did a perfect job today,” commented Zachary Perrin. ” That’s great. This is what we work for. We are enjoying this moment. It is very special for us. We have one game left to play. We are ready for the final,” added Zaccharie Risacher.
boxcore is ICI.
Photo : FIBA
Read also… (and these are NOT ads)
All U19 World Cup rosters The rosters of the 16 teams taking part in the 2023 U19 World Cup have been revealed. Click on the countries below to see the rosters: Group A… Read moreWorld Women’s U19: Bleuettes, remember August 7, 1993! Tonight, at 9 p.m., France will face the United States in the quarter-finals of the U19 World Cup. Immediately, we say “mission impossible”! Yes and no. So far, the Americans have… Read more Women’s EuroBasket U18: France start tonight against Hungary Even without the best player of her generation, Lyonnaise Dominique Malonga (1.98m) , the France team has an appetite before tackling this evening, at 8.30 p.m., against Hungary, the Euro U18… Read more
2023-07-01 17:33:54
#U19 #World #Cup #France #defeats #United #States #qualifies #final
