The French basketball team is looking for first place in its group against Iceland at Euro 2025

Already qualified for the last 16 of Euro 2025 basketball before even facing Poland on Tuesday, September 2, the Blues were keen to show a different face after the debacle against Israel on Sunday, August 31 (69-82). Above all, they had to win to maintain a chance of finishing top of their group. Mission accomplished for Frédéric Fauthoux's men, who won their duel against the Poles (83-76) on Tuesday, in the heated atmosphere of the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland.

With this victory, the French team is guaranteed to finish in one of the top three places in Group D, regardless of the outcome of its final match against Iceland, Thursday, September 4 at 2 p.m., in Katowice (Poland). Better still, the Tricolores, who are tied on points with the Israelis and the Poles (7), are still fighting for first place.

However, a win on Thursday against Iceland – the lowest-ranked team in Group D – would not guarantee them top spot. To finish first in their group, Les Bleus will have to reckon with a slip-up from Israel, who face Luka Doncic's Slovenia. The reason? In the event of a tie between two nations at the end of the group stage, the result of the match between the two teams concerned will prevail to decide the tie. In the event that Israel and France have the same number of points, first place would go to the Israelis, who defeated Les Bleus in their direct confrontation.

If first place is so coveted by France and its opponents, it is because it offers a more favorable draw. The teams at the top of their group face the nations in ^4th place in another group, ensuring, a priori, that they avoid some of the big names in the round of 16.

In reality, the obstacle will be overcome regardless of the ranking of the French team, which will face a nation from Group C. Greece, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, has already qualified, as has Italy. Meanwhile, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Spain, the defending champion and regular tormentor of Les Bleus during international competitions, are all waiting. La Roja notably deprived France of gold at Euro 2022, eliminated Les Bleus in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympic Games and in the semifinals of the 2015 European Championship.