Team around NBA star Gobert
Sensation at the Basketball World Cup: France out in the preliminary round
France’s basketball players around Rudy Gobert (r) disappointed at the World Cup. photo
© Achmad Ibrahim/AP/dpa
Big bets before the World Cup, out at the World Cup after two games: France’s basketball players fail miserably in Jakarta. The case is reminiscent of Germany 2019.
The French basketball players are sensational at the World Cup in Asia Eliminated in the preliminary round.
The team around NBA center Rudy Gobert lost in Jakarta with 86:88 (53:49) against outsiders Latvia and after two defeats from two games already has to say goodbye to all title dreams. Before that, it had scored a hearty 65:95 against co-favorite Canada at the start of the World Cup. Canada with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Latvia, which is without its best professional Kristaps Porzingis, are already qualified for the second round.
“They kicked our ass”
Winger Evan Fournier was already frustrated after the first defeat. “They kicked our ass,” he said of the 30-point swatter against Canada. The game against Latvia was considered a must-win, after all, France is second at the Olympics and European Championships. At the last two World Championships in Spain in 2014 and in China in 2019, there was also a bronze medal. Behind the USA, the French became the second-biggest title contender.
The early end is reminiscent of Germany four years ago. Dennis Schröder’s team also lost the first game against a co-favorite (France) and then suffered a defeat that was hardly thought possible against an outsider (Dominican Republic). In contrast to France, Germany has already secured the ticket for the second round after two wins this year.