A flawless performance and a strong impression six months before their 2024 Olympic Games: the French basketball players crushed New Zealand (94-39) on Sunday during their final match of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Xi’an (China) without challenge for the Blues.
The day after their show of strength against the Chinese world vice-champions (82-50), the Blues confirmed against the New Zealanders, modest 23rd in the world ranking, stunned 61-17 at half-time. The “Tall Ferns” (Hautes Fougères) were also dominated a little less widely on Thursday by China (94-47).
Once again, Jean-Aimé Toupane’s players stifled their opponents with their activity and physical intensity, demonstrated by 21 interceptions and 40 rebounds.
In the absence of accounting interest for the Blues already qualified as host country, these three matches on the other side of the planet will have boosted them after their Euro ended in the semi-final against Belgium (67-63), then without Gabby Williams (concussion) nor Marine Johannès (choice).
The Franco-American winger overwhelmed the New Zealanders with 21 points – in 19 minutes, including 13 units in the first quarter. As for “MJ”, the rear returned yet another volley of shots on one leg for which she has the secret (8 points in 17 minutes, including 2/5 from distance). At the pivot position, in the absence of Sandrine Gruda (36 years old), in the recovery phase after a thigh injury, the immense Dominique Malonga (1.98 m, 18 years old) scored points on the field ( 13, at 6/10) as well as a few undoubtedly in the mind of the coach with a view to the Paris-2024 Olympics.
Note that Lyon-Villeurbanne leader Marine Fauthoux, hit in the back, was “preserved”, announced the Federation.
