From the great humiliation

Lost 24 hours earlier by a Canada clearly more mature, the young team of France Vincent Collet took a real slam last night against the same opponent, outclassed on the floor of Toronto (85-63). If Florent Pietrus and Nicolas Batum got down to limit the damage, the Blues have the opportunity to watch for gaps of less concern to two weeks of the World. And then an appointment with the U.S. is looming.

Of course there are still four matches to Blues preparation for reassurance before reaching Turkey, the scene of the next World Championship of Basketball. Only after the two blows that come to collect the troops Vincent Collet against Canada, it will require that they show a different face, against the United States in particular. A scarecrow that the French are preparing to defy Sunday in New York in a gala match which could well become a nightmare, ten years after the unfortunate end of the Sydney Olympics.

Caught the day before by a selection North American solid bases (58-69), Boris Diaw partners had then taken a lesson Vincent Collet expected to derive some instruction. But the expected reaction of pride did not survive more than a handful of minutes. While entering the game in the wake of Nicolas Batum voluntary return (ill, he had not attended the previous meeting, note), and credited to the final 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in 23 minutes, the Blues were quickly dropped foot, overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the premises.

7-2 to France, the brand has gone 12-24 and for Canadians, yet little supported by an Air Canada Centre in Toronto just filled with 2,200 spectators, after the first quarter time. A score consistently worse before apathy lights at the break (25-47), to the dismay of national coach: "In terms of aggression, there were two classes of difference between the two teams, and it does not forgive face training starved as was Canada today, Vincent Collet regretted after the confrontation. More than yesterday, Canadians have stepped on it tonight. "

Collet: "We have lots of very nice boys ..."

Despite a sharp upsurge in rigorous defense and punch after the break, the team of France, a time back to -15 at the instigation of a Florent Pietrus author of 16 points and three assists in 20 minutes, relapse to beginning of the last quarter, too clumsy in its transmissions to the image of Nando De Colo and too vague in its offensive to pretend to turn the tide. With a scrawny 33% from the shoots (73% to barely throw), and others cashed the Gelabale then a 11-3 fatal to finally head down tilt (63-85).

Stunned by the scale of damage, Vincent Collet did not deliver less lucid analysis after the fact, severe but probably fair in the speech: "I am a bit surprised. I was expecting a reaction today much more important, but I think we have players who are not really aware of the requirements of the international level. [...] Maybe the team has not gauged at its true value. Much has been very nice boys, but must do violence to the team as a whole gains in hardness. "

And the conductor to add lights, aware of the yard so that awaits him now that his troops gather in Turkey even Canada and the world champion and European title in Spanish: "We need the group to realize that to go in the fourth round, he'll have to play from August 28 up to the floor. I do know already, but I think this may not be built by everyone. " Very quiet in the den of the Raptors, Boris Diaw joins his coach: "We have not played internationally against Canada. And this in two straight games, that's what's annoying. [... ] We really need to wake up, because there is still much work to do. " Faced with the U.S. on Sunday, such absences will pay even more expensive. At the height of "50 or 60 points (difference), Nicolas Batum dixit ...