The French women's basketball team qualifies for the quarter-finals of the World Cup

Contract fulfilled for the Blues. Two matches and two victories. By largely defeating the South Koreans (95-69), Saturday September 5, the French basketball team has already validated its ticket for the quarter-finals of the Women's Basketball World Cup, in Germany. They had outclassed Hungary the day before (99-53) and will face Nigeria on Monday, for their last group stage match.

With its contingent of eight players involved in the WNBA, the French team had started their match against South Korea on Saturday badly, letting their opponents take the lead at the end of the first quarter (24-31). They paid for their weakness in defense and their approximations in attack. But the Blue regained the advantage in the following period, inflicting a 19-6 on South Korea, before taking the lead more and more. “We had a little difficulty in the first quarter but the strength of our team is its character and we were able to show it,” said Janelle Salaün at the microphone of BeIn Sport at the end of the match. Dominique Malonga in particular hurt the Koreans, scoring 14 points, as did captain Gabby Williams. Marine Johannès added 17 others.

A saving day of rest

Coach Jean-Aimé Toupane was able to offer playing time to each of his players, who will benefit from a day of rest before their next match. Certain of finishing at the top of Pool B, the Blues will also spare themselves a play-off match before the quarters. Enough to offer precious time for rest and work to finalize the automation while the team was only complete a few days before the start of the competition due to the late arrival of players playing in the WNBA.

“We're having trouble getting into the matches, we have to find some rhythm. I think the legs were a little heavy compared to yesterday,” Valériane Ayayi told BeIn Sport. “We can't wait to have this day off, because we have trouble getting enough sleep,” continued the Mercury player from Phoenix, an American city located nine hours time difference from Europe.