By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Friday was the first day of the preparation tournament in Antibes, France, and the hosts for the first time played with their captain present. Boris Diaw got the typical green light from the Spurs to play in the upcoming World Cup and contribute 10 rebounds and 1 points in the 75-68 win over Philippines. Nicolas Batum with 16 points was the top scorer for the winners, however the guests held their ground with the help of naturalized center Andray Blatche who had 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Before the game it was announced that Charles Kahudi was the last player cut from the pre-selection and the final roster of the French national team consists of Nando De Colo, Antoine Diot, Thomas Heurtel, Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, Mickael Gelabale, Edwin Jackson, Boris Diaw, Rudy Gobert, Joffrey Lauvergne, Florent Pietrus and Ian Mahinmi.
In the first game of the tournament, Australia led by an other Spur, Aron Baynes with 21 points and 12 rebounds, got the 74-65 win over Ukraine. Naturalized point guard Pooh Jeter had 16 points and 5 steals for Ukraine but it was not enough.