The time of regrets. Led by Melvin Ajinça (21 pts) and Zacharie Perrin (14 pts, 20 rbs), the Bleuets lost 73-69 after extra time against Spain, this Sunday, in Debrecen (Hungary), in the final of the FIFA Cup. U19 world. Winners of Team USA in the semis and authors of a magnificent course in this tournament, they led by seven points in the last quarter and clearly had the cartridges to claim a first world title. At hand, after the defeat in the final of Victor Wembanyama and company in the last edition. Missed. Jordi Rodriguez (18 pts), Rafael Villar (17 pts) and their teammates, clumsy (37.3% on shots) and ultra-dominated in rebounds (54-29 for France), made their mark on the 28 losses of ball from Lamine Kebe’s team. Too much…
Tight, nervous and choppy start to the match at the Fönix Arena, with a lot of lost balls and missed shots on both sides (4-0, then 4-6 and 10-6). Neither team managed to make the hole, but it was Rodriguez’s Spain (10 pts in the 1st QT) who was in the lead after the first 10 minutes, despite Ajinca’s 8 units and 8 rebounds from Perrin (19-18). The fight was just as intense afterwards, with the Bleuets determined not to give anything in defense (21-25). Fortunately, because the address was not there for Lamine Kebe’s men… The Spaniards also drew and Alexandre Bouzidi (9 pts in total, 7 ball losses) gave his people some air while Perrin continued to swallow everything (24-29). “We have at least 17 lost balls (10 in fact, editor’s note), we throw the ball into the stands”, railed the tricolor coach on a time-out in the form of a rant, demanding “discipline” from his boys , who led 29-28 at the break. 11 points for Ajinça, imperial in defense, and 14 rebounds from Perrin.
Ultra-dominant in rebounds but still expensive in terms of ball losses, the players of the France U19 team were far from killing the match on the restart, quite the opposite (34-33). Thanks to their defense and the dunks of Alex Sarr and Perrin, we breathed better (34-39). Especially since the Spaniards still dropped so many points on throws… The lack of tricolor discipline was however paid for (40-39), logical, but France attacked the last 10 minutes of this suffocating final in command (40-43, then 41- 43).
Still no big flights, neither on one side nor the other, but Perrin, despite his faults, was doing a monstrous job and France dug a small gap (46-53). Finally the right breakaway for Les Bleuets? No. The Spaniards finally launched the machine (52-53), but Bouzidi calmed their enthusiasm at three points (52-56). One thing is certain: the level was up a notch in terms of attacking expression, on both sides. Back with his four faults, Sarr planted a tasty three-pointer in the corner (56-60). He was imitated by Ajinça (59-63). At least that was needed to contain the attacks of Baba Miller, on fire at the end of the match. Again this damn lack of discipline, with this bad choice of Ajinça in attack and the fifth fault of Perrin in the last minute (61-63), opening the door to the equalizer of Jordi Rodriguez (63-63). 18 seconds to play. Noah Penda had the ball for the win. He didn’t take advantage of it but France kept the ball, with 1”5 to play. Nothing. Extension !
Again these losses of ball, and Villar gave the reins to Roja (66-63, then 68-66). Good news for Blueberries? Miller’s fifth foul on the Spanish side (11 pts). It was the only one. After a 0/2 to throws from Ajinça, offensive rebound… and loss of ball, number 26 (69-68). Quite a symbol. Unlikely… Soon the 27th. Victim of a sprain, Rodriguez gave way to throws, 1/2 for Villar (70-68). Failure in shooting for the Blueberries, for Spain too, and 1/2 of Romain-Thomas Parmentelot in the throws (70-69), who quickly made a mistake 27 seconds from the end. 2/2 from Villar (72-69) and still bad choices, a 28th loss of ball, throws for Ab Sediq Garuba (73-69). Curtain. 9”4 to play, but the mass was said (73-69 final score).