By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
To reach the final of 2022 EuroBasket, France dominated Poland, 95-54, in Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena Friday.
From effective three-point shooting tallying a team total of 15/26 to producing 40 points in the paint, Vincent Collet’s players were determined to get the job done. It was one-way traffic. Mainly responsible, the former Boston Celtic Guerschon Yabusele. He dropped 22 points, including 14 in the third quarter. And connected four triples.
Evan Fournier of the New York Knicks threw in ten more points plus four rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 19 minutes. Recently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert delivered six points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists in 18 minutes.
Finishing the third quarter with a buzzer-beater, Elie Okobo scored ten more points with 3/3 from beyond the arc. Experienced point guard Thomas Heurtel added seven points and six assists. Towering center Moustapha Fall ended up with six points, ten rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and one steal.
Earning the opportunity to split playing time and to rest key players in the fourth period, the Blues are back in the EuroBasket gold medal game. In 2013 with tournament MVP Tony Parker leading the way, the last berth also handed the first ever title to France.
On the other hand, Poland will be gearing up for the bronze medal game. In the disappointing showing in the Semifinals, A.J. Slaughter and Michal Michalak shared a team-high nine points and Mateusz Ponitka had seven points. The team coached by Igor Milicic was held to 17/53 field goals.
“We tip our hats off to France. They played a very good game tonight. They pressed us out of our system and really made it tough for us,” noted Slaughter, “We still have our heads high. We still have a medal game on Sunday. We will come back and play with pride, see if we can leave here with a medal.”
The tournament concludes with the first-place and third-place contests Sunday.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL