Basketball: At the buzzer, Okobo gives the Blues victory against Bosnia

The French team is flawless. Officially qualified for EuroBasket 2025 thanks to their victory in Croatia (80-83) on Friday, the Blues played without pressure on Monday, in Orléans, against Bosnia-Herzegovina. " We have to leave a good image of this team to our fans. Enjoy, we are qualified, but on Monday, we will play another big game ," demanded the coach on Friday, in the locker room in Zadar. Message received (76-74 victory). It was neither easy nor brilliant, but Matthew Strazel (15 pts), Yoan Makoundou (15), Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (12) and company did the job. The Tricolores therefore finish with an immaculate record in this qualifying phase (6 wins in 6 games). And this thanks to the buzzer-beater basket (see video below) scored by Elie Okobo (13 pts), solid in the money-time.

Not very serious, too many turnovers and not enough rebounds for the Blues in the first quarter. Of course, France was in the lead after this basket from the Strazel parking lot (14-12). But it was Bosnia who were in the lead (14-21), thanks in particular to the festival of the naturalized Castaneda, player of… Fauthoux at JL Bourg. On the other side of the game at the start of the match (5 turnovers) Malédon signed a three-point action to equalize at the start of the second quarter (21-21). The visitors did not have to worry, however, knowing that the Blues continued to lose balls and draw three-pointers (23-30). 2/11 in this exercise before the triple by Albicy (26-30), leader, detonator, a real example. Active in scoring, Okobo assumed his rank, and the defense raised the tone (34-32 MT).

The statistics were scary to see: 10 French turnovers after 20 minutes of action, 18-22 on rebounds in favor of the visitors, 14-18 in the paint, 25% on three-pointers… Not pretty. In these conditions, leading at half-time was a small feat, even against a team deprived of its star, the Madrilenian Dzanan Musa.

A delicious one-handed dunk shortly after the restart by "TLC", who took Lazic's big three-pointer on the nose (36-37). The Blues were annoyed, frustrated, punished (36-39). A triple change by Fauthoux, who was not happy, and France ahead after seven points in a row for Makoundou (41-40, then 43-42). Not enough to start a run, quite the contrary (43-48, then 48-57). The Co'Met crowd could at least enjoy a huge block by Makoundou on a dunk attempt by Lazic (see below). For the rest, the Bosnian zone anesthetized the French attack, while the French defense lacked bite, combativeness, a bit of everything (51-57 end of the 3rd quarter). And this while Lazic was on fire (53-60, then 60-65). A tough blow for the visitors with the departure of Castaneda (16 pts), injured in the left ankle.

Only one possession left after this dunk by Makoundou on a serve by Cornelie (62-65). Alibegovic to turn on the air conditioning, Strazel to put the fire back on with two triples in a row (65-68, then 68-70). Interception by Makoundou, pass behind Cornelie and Luwawu for the dunk (70-70). 2'38 to play. Nothing simple, however. Interception on the throw-in signed Okobo with 1'33 to go. Which Okobo put Makoundou into orbit before depositing the ball in the circle with class (74-70). Finished? No... Quick basket by Bosnia, loss of the ball Okobo and Vrabac (too) easy, 14 seconds to play (74-74). And the "happy end", with Okobo at the buzzer (76-76).

Let us recall that this qualifying campaign began under the orders of Vincent Collet (2 victories). His successor, Freddy Fauthoux, will experience his first major international competition next summer. The Blues will be reunited at the end of July for the European Championship scheduled from August 27 to September 14, 2025 in Latvia, Cyprus, Finland and Poland. Vice-champions of Europe in 2022, they will aim to imitate Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and company, kings of the Old Continent in Ljubljana (Slovenia), in 2013. With or without Victor Wembanyama? Suspense.