The French basketball team rather easily disposed of Japan (88-70) in Tokyo on Thursday, thus continuing its flawless run so far in its preparation for the World Cup in Asia (August 25-September 10). Without forcing and in the absence of Nicolas Batum, spared for this match, the Blues thus won their sixth friendly match in a row before the World Cup, which will take place in Indonesia, the Philippines and the Japanese archipelago of Okinawa.
The first two quarters were balanced, the brave Japanese having been sometimes transcended by the warm support of their public in a packed Ariake Arena. The advantage for the Blues was thus only five points (45-40) at halftime, due in particular to a certain laxity in defense. But they definitely widened the gap from the third quarter (70-57) and remained serious in the last.
The Blues have an appointment Sunday in Tokyo with an opponent that promises to be much more formidable, Australia, the third nation in the world in the Fiba ranking, for their final preparation match before the World Cup. The France team will then fly to Jakarta, where it will start the World Cup by facing Canada on August 25, then Latvia (August 27) and Lebanon (August 29).
