The clash of the titans, Wembanyama against Jokicwhich revealed the juicy poster of the pre-Olympic friendly between France and Serbia He chose in favor of the Balkans, in a very emotional night because the French team retired the number of the legendary Tony parker.
The tribute to the legend of Spurs of San Antonio was somewhat tarnished by the image his team left behind when they clearly fell against the current world runners-up.
This is the second consecutive defeat in their preparation for Olympic Games already France will play at home, after registered this week against Germany (65-70).
Two weeks before the Olympic event, Nikola Jokic with 20 points and 12 rebounds he sent the couch to France said Victor Wembanyamawho finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The first quarter started with the shock everyone was looking for. Of Wembanyamawho returned after a few days due to a virus, was the first to score with a mid-range shot that topped the Serbian.
The French prodigy got even stronger when he tripled moments later. Jokic, however, looked even more unfocused as he also ran into the French defense where Gobert shine like no other.
The group directed by Vincent collet He got ten more points after Ntikilina’s triple and two free throws Batumi.
But Marinkovic With five straight points, a triple and an offensive rebound he converted with the horn at the end of the first quarter, he kept Serbia going.
The second quarter seems poised to be a similar story.
Jokic started by committing two offensive fouls and angrily protesting the referees. The Balkan star seems to be out of the middle.
Another player leaves the game, but the triple MVP of the NBA regular league is made of a special paste.
He recovered, led the game and led the Serbian bugle until he scored a partial against the French 21 to 4 and left the scoreboard 12 points ahead.
Jokic He entered halftime with 17 points, scoring from the three-point line and in the paint, and 9 rebounds, leading in both stats.
Only Wembanyama supported his team. With three consecutive free throws he ended the bleeding (28-39) with two minutes left before halftime.
But Serbia there’s just not Jokic. Marinkovic He scored again at the end of the quarter to give his team the maximum lead (32-45).
French fans wear t-shirts with Tony’s 9 parker -the local idol in Lyon, especially since today is the first time that France has retired a number from its national team- attended the Serbian collective game show and the Nuggets center demonstration of Denver.
The third quarter started with the same monologue and the Serbs took the lead to 17 points after four consecutive points from Bogdanovic.
France He was shocked by his rival’s quick move. The match is not friendly. Both teams’ defenses are working hard and the nerves are starting to show.
In the stands and on the track. Fournier He got a technical after scoring and called a foul. The locals were supported by points from the Detroit forward Pistons and with real centers Madrid Guerschon Yabuseleand life reached the last quarter (52-60).
Pushed by their fans, the French team pressed their defense and midway through the final, fourth quarter they took a six-point lead after scoring four points on Lessort.
Besides Jokic He picked up his fifth personal foul with three and a half minutes remaining. That gave wings to Francebut in a short time, because based on the triple, three in a row from Micic.
Petrusev and Bogdanovic, Serbia He supported the victory and made it clear that at the Olympic Games he will be one of the favorites for the podium.
Data sheets
France, 67 – Serbia, 78
67. France: (23+9+20+15) : Cordinier (0), Gobert (3), Wembanyama (14), Strazel (5) and Coulibaly – starting five – Albicy (0), Fournier (8), Batum (5), De Colo (0), Yabusele (12), Ntikilina (9), Lessort (8) and Hoard (0).
79. Serbia: (18+27+15+19) : Bogdanovic (15), Dobric (7), Jokic (20), Avramovic (9), Milutinov (2) – starting five – Micic (5), Pokusevski (0 ), Guduric (7), Marinkovic (8), Petrusev (6), Ristic (0), Jaramaz (0), Plavsic (0), Radanov (0).
Referees: A. Zurapovic (Bosnia), B. Krejic (Slovenia) and L. Castillo (Spain).
Incidents: Friendly preparatory match for the Paris Olympic Games played at the LDLC Arena pavilion, in Decines, outside Lyon.
At the start of the match, Jokic gave French legend Tony Parker a Serbian jersey with the number 9.
The French team retired a shirt with Parker’s number today, the first time the French team has made such a gesture of tribute.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Jason Root, a professional writer working with Today Times Live, the premier news website. I specialize in sports writing, covering the biggest stories in the world of athletics. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, I provide engaging and informative articles that capture the key elements of any event or issue. My work has been featured on numerous respected websites and publications around the world.
