The French men’s basketball team, featuring notable stars Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, and Evan Fournier, had high expectations when they entered the FIBA World Cup. Unfortunately, their dreams were shattered when an underestimated Latvian team pulled off a remarkable upset, defeating France 88-86 and eliminating them from the tournament in the first round. France’s head coach, Vincent Collet, described their defeat as a “nightmare” considering their talented roster.
The turning point in the game occurred when France’s starting point guard, Nando De Colo, was ejected for his second unsportsmanlike conduct foul with 6:46 left in the fourth quarter. Seizing the opportunity, Latvia went on a 10-3 run, taking the lead and ultimately securing the victory.
France’s disappointment in the World Cup didn’t end there. Prior to their loss to Latvia, they suffered a demoralizing defeat at the hands of Canada, losing 95-65. This was a significant blow for a team that finished in third place and eliminated Team USA in the 2019 World Cup.
The Latvian team, led by Arturs Zagars and Davis Bertans, played exceptionally well against France. Zagars contributed 22 points, while Bertans scored 15 points. Rolands Smits of Latvia also made a strong impact, shooting 8-of-10 and scoring 20 points.
In their defeat, Evan Fournier stood out as the leading scorer with 27 points, followed by Batum with 13 points and Gobert with only nine. Fournier expressed his disappointment and emphasized the team’s need to learn from this experience.
Although France’s World Cup journey ended abruptly, their prospects for the Paris Olympic Games next year still appear promising. The team is expected to retain key players like Fournier, Gobert, and Batum, and they may even add top pick Victor Wembanyama to their roster. Additionally, they are actively pursuing Joel Embiid, who has been granted French citizenship, to strengthen their team for the Olympics.
Batum, who plans to retire after the 2024 Olympics in Paris, admitted to feeling ashamed and remorseful for letting down their fans and the country. The team aims to redeem themselves and learn from their mistakes.
France will conclude their group play by facing Lebanon on Tuesday, but will continue competing in the losers’ group for two additional games. Latvia and Canada, both advancing to Round 2, will face each other to determine the winner of Group H.
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