2023-06-27 18:20:00
The last matches of the group stages of this U19 World Cup took place today to determine the fate of the selections for the rest of the competition. After a defeat against Spain on Sunday, Lamine Kebé’s men finished second in their group and reached the round of 16 by securing the win against Canada. Back to the last meeting and projection on the rest of the competition.
A good start for France against China thought we had convinced us enough. But as usual in youth selection, it only takes one game against the Spaniards to see all the shortcomings of the French game. A small spanking 19 points apart (88-69) with a second quarter that was enough in itself to put the Blueberries down. On the Iberian side, Ivan Almanza, new player of the G League Ignite and announced in 18th place in the mock Draft 2024 by ESPN, planted 21 points and 7 rebounds to mark the meeting of his talent.
21 points, 7 rebounds for potential 2024 lottery pick Izan Almansa in Spain’s 19 point shellacking of France. Some impressive moments creating off the bounce and finishing in PnR. Spain look like the best team early on at the U19 World Cup after first two days. pic.twitter.com/n2IoJqBmBV
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 25, 2023
For the French, it was therefore necessary to bounce back today, against a team from Canada capable of the best as well as the worst. The greatest advantage Canadians have, literally and figuratively, is their pivot Olivier Rioux, 2m31 high… who will not play the match. Decision of the coach, so much the better for the French selection.
The start of the game was very attacking, so much so that the Canadians took advantage of it to take the lead. In the second, the Blueberries come back, equality on returning to the locker room, a brand new match begins. It is at this moment that the French team wakes up and passes the second. A third quarter in 22-6 is enough to completely crack Canada. The last ten minutes are superfluous, victory 80-66. France finished second in their group and moved into the eighth in the final. As for the stats, Zaccharie Perrin finished at 26 in evaluation (15 points and 15 rebounds), Melvin Ajinca and his 23 points ended the meeting with the best scoring performance of the match.
The round of 16 takes place tomorrow and we already know the opponent of Les Bleuets. They will be opposed to the selection of Madagascar, third in group B where the United States and Slovenia were, selections also qualified for the rest. Meeting time? 2:30 p.m., for a match that seems more than affordable for the French who continue to gain momentum, but who will however have to be wary of the competition’s top scorer Mathias M’Madi.
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#France #slips #eighth