By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Evan Fournier and Amath M’Baye combined for 47 points as they led France to a 78-74 win against Germany in Group G game in the city of Shenzhen.
Fournier led the way with game-high 26 points as well as game-high ten rebounds logging a double-double while M’Baye was right behind with 21 points. Vincent Poirier and Rudy Gobert helped with nine points each, the latter grabbing nine boards as well.
France was ahead 16-4 after the first quarter and went on the halftime break with a 36-20 advantage led by M’Baye’s 13 and Fournier’s nine points.
It seemed like a routine job for France which improved the lead to 52-28, but Johannes Voigtmann and Dennis Schroder banked 11 points each in the third quarter as Germany answered decreasing the gap to nine points (59-50).
“We started the game great, they couldn’t get anything on offense, but we let them back in the game with defense and rebounds,” said Fournier. “The first game is always tricky.”
The German duo continued to push their squad as Voigtmann finished the game with 25 (8-10 FG) and Schroder with 23 points. Germany closed in and made it a one-possession game twice (71-68; 76-74). However, Gobert and Fournier stepped up scoring crucial points – including the latter’s beautiful fadeaway jump shot – for France which managed to hold on and seal the win.
“We got the shots we wanted early but didn’t make them and got nervous. When we get to the basket, Gobert was a huge factor. We had too much respect, and it took us a while, but my team has a lot of heart. Very proud of them for coming back. In a game where we were down, I think 24 points, they came back and even had a small chance to turn the game around”, Germany’s coach Henrik Rodl noted.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL