It was a big challenge awaiting the French team in the last match of the Antibes tournament, a preparation tournament for the 2018 World Cup which begins in a week in Tenerife, Spain. Olympic champions, World champions, and the number one nation globally, nothing less. The USA are considered the giant. And this was confirmed yesterday, with a victory for the United States (77 – 60) against a combative French team.
For a long time, the French team stayed in contact with the Americans, but they physically let up in the last quarter and allowed their opponents to definitively break away. The French held their own for 30 minutes before succumbing in the last 10 minutes.
Noteworthy was the excellent performance by the young Marine JOHANNES, who was very mobile and impactful, scoring 11 points. Also noteworthy were the fine performances of Sandrine GRUDA, the top scorer on the French side with 12 points, and Helena CIAK with 11 points and an incredible activity near the basket.
France now has an appointment on September 22 for its first match of the World Cup against South Korea.
