The favorites are on the mat. The France U19 basketball team took revenge on Saturday by beating the United States (89-86) in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary. Les Bleuets will try to clinch gold this Sunday evening against Spain, which has largely taken out Turkey (83-51).
Two years ago, Team USA beat France in the final by just two points (83-81), winning a fourth title in five editions. The French then counted Victor Wembanyama in their ranks.
Les Bleuets broke the good American stats
Heading into Saturday’s game, the Americans had amassed five wins in five games since the start of the competition and averaged 106.4 points per game. But Les Bleuets entered their semi-final well, even leading twice by six points. At the break, however, the Americans were back in front (44-41).
On the return, carried by Zacharie Perrin (18 points, 9 rebounds), Melvin Ajinça (17 pts) and Zaccharie Risacher (13 pts), the French team nibbled away before returning in front (70-66 at the start of the last quarter) and hold out until the siren.
“Congratulations guys! “, Encouraged them Nicolas Batum, pillar of the “big” who had failed two years ago against the United States in the final of the Tokyo Olympics. “Go for gold,” he added, substituting an emoji for the medal.