The French women’s basketball team beat the Czech Republic, 71-51, this Friday in Strasbourg, and at worst secures a play-off before the quarter-finals.
No one doubted it, but it is now official. The French women’s basketball team will play, at worst, a play-off during their Euro at home, thanks to their second victory in two games, in Strasbourg. After crushing Croatia on Friday (105-63), the daughters of Valérie Garnier largely dominated the Czech Republic on the score of 71-51 and therefore offer themselves a group final against Russia on Sunday. If the Blue (still deprived of Olivia Epoupa, injured ankle) had waited a quarter-time and 25 points collected before taking the measure of Croatia, this time they waited for half time, and 32 points collected, before starting the compressor roller (32-29, mt).
Gruda top tricolor scorer
The Czechs, without being in great form in attack (1/10 to 3pts to start, 7/29 in the end) indeed managed to contain the Blue in the first period. But in second, the breadth of the French workforce made the difference against tired Czechs. Les Bleues won the third quarter with a score of 20-12, and Sandrine Gruda (16pts in total) and Endy Miyem (11pts) gave it their all. Alexia Charterau, struggling since the start of the game with a 0/6 on shots, sealed the blue victory by finally finding the sights in the last minute, in the stifling heat of the Rhenus. The French, who managed 42% of their shots on Friday and only missed a single free throw, will now have a day of rest before Sunday’s game against Russia. And winning to avoid an extra match would be a very good idea …
French markers: Chartereau (3) Ciak (6), Michel (7), Williams (5), Duchet (7), Gruda (16), Johannes (10), Miyem (11), Vukosavljevic (6)
