Like Vincent Collet’s boys, Jean-Aimé Toupane’s girls began their Olympic tournament with a victory this Monday against Canada (54-75) at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
Special envoy to Villeneuve d’Ascq
Good start for the French women’s basketball team. Two days after the Blues, victorious against Brazil (78-66), the Blues dominated Canada (54-75) this Monday, for their entry into the Olympic tournament. The defense set the tone in the first period, after a timid start to the match, and the Marième Badiane/Gabby Williams tandem caught fire to thwart the Canadian awakening after the locker room. Solid. Earlier in the day, Nigeria had surprised Australia (75-62) in Group B. Nigeria that the French will meet again on Thursday (5:15 p.m.).
The Blues made their defense speak from the start (3-0, then 3-8 and 5-10). A few mistakes all the same and big holes inside, where Canada made its money (14-12, then 18-14), while the French (and Johannès in the lead) were pouring in three-pointers (0/6 to start). Chery put an end to this long-distance drought at the start of the second quarter, the Blue defense tightened the screw and Johannès (finally) put it in (18-25).
All the points in the third quarter for Badiane and Williams
This was not the case for the Canadians, who started the game with a nasty and handicapping 0/8 from three-point range. After a superb action and this basket by Badiane on a caviar by Lacan (18-27), the Canadian coach Victor Lapena had seen enough and called a time-out. However, he was not at the end of his troubles. Still more French defensive pressure (and easy baskets), still more Canadian failures (18-36). A stroll and +18 France at the break (20-38).
Gabby Williams wrestles with Canadian Kia Nurse. Brian Snyder / REUTERS
Already 12 turnovers for the Canadians at halftime, compared to two for the French. A stat that would make Vincent Collet green with envy… Still, Canada came back with a lot of desire and finally some long-distance shooting (24-38, then 27-42). France was a bit more messy (33-46). Not Badiane and Williams, who kept the French boat afloat at the start of the second period (35-53). A winning duo (36-53 at the end of the 3rd quarter). Between them, they scored all 15 points for the French team in the third quarter! Enough to approach the end of the match with more serenity and drive the point home: 12 pts, 8 assists and 5 interceptions for Williams, 13 pts and 6 rebounds for Badiane. Next meeting Thursday for the Blues, which promises to be tricky as we said, against Nigeria.
