By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the disappointing preliminary round, France picked up on the next stage of the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a comfortable win, 82-55, versus Iran in the Indonesia Arena on Thursday.
Jumping to 2-2 and leading Group P is far from actually being among the top 16 national teams of the competition. The Blues are instead in the classification games, in the midst of battles for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games. Receiving a direct entry as the host shapes their exception.
Spreading the action among available players, Elie Okobo with 13 points was the top scorer for the team coached by Vincent Collet. Nando De Colo registered 12 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists to share the game-high efficiency rating of 21 with Rudy Gobert. The Minnesota Timberwolves center himself contributed nine points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
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On the opposite end, Behnam Yakhchali and Meisam Mirzaei shared a team-high 11 points in a rough game for Hakan Demir’s side. Forced down to 0-4, any chance to play in next summer’s Olympics requires a win over Lebanon on Saturday.
Saoud and Spellman inspire Lebanon’s first win
Earlier in Jakarta, Lebanon drew the win, 94-84, over Cote d’Ivoire. Both countries are competing for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games, directly or through a final opportunity in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Making 16/32 three-pointers, the team coached by Jad El Hajj caught the Elephants at 1-3 in Group P.
Hitting a clutch three-pointer, Omari Spellman tallied 25 points to go with six rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and one steal. With the World Cup marking his debut at the international level, the former NBA player obtained the Lebanese nationality in April.
Amir Saoud connected six triples en route to a game-high 29 points. He additionally chipped in eight assists and five rebounds. Wael Arakji did not play and Hayk Gyokchyan was limited to three minutes due to injuries.
The Elephants came back from a 14-point deficit but third-quarter momentum was not enough for the win. Jean-Philippe Dally packed 21 points in the losing effort. Patrick Tape got to 15 points with 7/7 from the field.
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