Les Bleues dominate South Korea and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Women's Basketball World Cup

And two. After their success against Hungary (99-53), at the curtain-raiser, the Bleues de Marine Johannes (17 pts), Gabby Williams (14 pts), Dominique Malonga (14 pts) and Carle Leite (11 pts) dismissed South Korea (95-69) this Saturday, in Berlin, for their second outing at the Women's Basketball World Cup. Mission accomplished. With the manner. “I saw a real team this evening,” summarizes the national coach. Before facing Nigeria on Monday (2:30 p.m.), they are already qualified for the quarter-finals.

However, it was not that simple, with Jean-Aimé Toupane's girls surprised by the Asian intensity at the very start of the game (0-5, then 5-10). Leite and Johannes responded to the crazy skill of Heo and the Koreans from long distance (22-21), but the blue defense was still not there, taken aback by the very particular style of South Korea (24-31 end of QT1). The Tricolores finally raised their voice in defense and Johannes burst into fusion (32-31), at the heart of a 14-0 (38-31). Not everything was perfect, however, with Salaun suffering a surprising unsportsmanlike foul, his third foul, and several French losses of ball. Fortunately, the South Koreans were too clumsy to take advantage (41-37, then 43-37 MT).

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The switch when returning from the locker room

14 points in 10'30 for Johannes, who converted three of her five long-range attempts in the first period. 52% success for the Tricolores, including 7/15 from a distance. And they came back strong, determined, square, fair (47-37). The machine was launched, like the ruthless Williams, finally freed, and Malonga, impactful. The blue tide. The French multiplied the interceptions and capitalized on their size advantage and their athletic superiority (67-41). Two rooms, two atmospheres.

One on one, the poor South Koreans exploded almost every time. It was almost unfair. In the end, coach Toupane's daughters completed this third quarter, won 33-15, with an advantage of 24 points, after having been up to 28 lengths ahead (76-52 at the end of QT3).

Bernies and Gueye at the party

Needless to say, the suspense was already largely over at this stage of the match, even if the French bench was drawing at the start of the fourth quarter (78-59). Toupane sent Williams, Malonga and Lacan back to the floor, then Ayayi and Johannes, in order to calm this mini South Korean revolt (83-59, then 85-61). It was a little disjointed on both sides, with a final quarter ultimately quite balanced. Logical given the difference in the score. But that didn't stop Johannes from continuing his festival of skill, a last show of brilliance before going out. Romane Bernies and Aminata Gueye were sent to the front to finish the match, the second named having been showered with balls to finish with seven points (95-69 final score).