Βy Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Μickael Gelabale is one of the reasons of the French success so far in the FIBA World Cup, being one of the major factors in the game of his national team. A reliable shooter, a capable defender and a great rebounder spoke to Eurohoops just hours before the semifinal against Serbia from his hotel in Madrid about the big challenge for his team and the big upset against Spain.
“We were eagerly waiting for this game. Everything went according to our plan from the start of the game. We had a 7 points lead and we knew that they will enter the game being on attack mode in the third period. We talked a lot between us in the half time and we said that we had to keep a low score and be close at the start of the last quarter. They were playing at home, everyone was expecting from them to win. They had great expectations, a whole country was hanging on them. The secret is that we destroyed their offensive game. They scored more than 80 points and against us they had just 52”.
Did Gelabale and his teammates felt that in the end Spain had collapsed psychologically: “Yes, when we entered the last minutes of the game and we had increased our lead, that happened. They didn’t have a clear mind, I think that they felt incredible pressure and they couldn’t react”.
Euroopean champion France never been in the past in a World Cup final. So, that means there’s pressure now on the French against Serbia?
“That’s a very big, a huge motive. That’s why we are here in Spain. We gained respect and extra confidence after winning Eurobasket last year. Now we are among the top four teams of the world and next year we are hosting Eurobasket 2015. It’s a great timing and a big chance for all of us. If we get this win, we will also secure a medal and that would be a special moment”.
What are the keys against Serbia: “They are a great team and they play as a unit on both ends of the floor. We must be focused and play the same defense like we did against Spain…Individualy, Bogdanovic, Teodosic and Raduljica are our targets. We must contain them, without leaving too much room for their teammates”.
On a personal level, Gelabale is an active member of the French national team, but he is also a free agent. What will be his future and how’s that is affecting him?
“I was not in a hurry during the summer. Ι have self confidence and I wanted to play in the World Cup in order to prove that I am in great shape. NBA is always on my mind, but I also know that my agent is in talks with a big European club. But this can wait for now. We have a semifinal in a few hours”.