French star: “I thought Lithuania would win against Slovenia” / News
The advantage gained by the Lithuanian national team against Slovenia gave Rudy Gobert faith in the victory of our people, but in the end everything turned in the opposite direction.
Rudy Gobert believed in the victory of the Lithuanian national team against the Slovenian basketball players. The five-point advantage of Kazis Maksvytis’ students in the fourth quarter became the motive of the French tower when watching the match from abroad.
Rudy Gobert
Position: | C |
Age: | 30 |
Height: | 216 cm |
Weight: | 111 kg |
Place of birth: | France |
However, in the remaining almost six minutes, they lost the section 7:19 and the difficult start of the championship for the Lithuanian 85:92.
“Both teams are really, really physical,” Gobert said when asked by BasketNews. – The end of the match could have gone the other way, Lithuania could also have won. Slovenia better improve in the last few minutes. I thought Lithuania would win.
But that just shows how high the level is in this group. Attack in the match – every one is very important. I think this group will serve us well going forward, with 3 or 4 teams reaching at least the quarter-finals.”
The French were stopped at the start of the championships of the Old Continent by the host of Group B, Germany. Vincent Collet’s students scored only 63 points and lost with a deficit of 13 points (63:76).
Gobert scored 11 points in 5 minutes (4/5 doubles, 0/1 triples, 3/6 penalties), had 12 rebounds and committed 4 fouls.
In total, the team lost 17 balls, when the Germans – 9.
“They played aggressive defense and we made too many mistakes,” Gobert said. – There were many things we could have done better. The defense lacked communication and aggressiveness. We know that this is a long tournament, during which we want to take steps forward in every match.”
The French, who held a training session at the “Lanxess” arena on Friday evening, are now welcoming the Lithuanian national team. The teams that started without victories will face each other on Saturday from 18:45.
French national team / Schedule
“Lithuania is a really strong team,” said Gobert. – It’s never easy to play with them. Lithuanians are fighting hard and united. A huge challenge awaits us.”
Gobert will compete with Lithuanian towers Jonas Valančiūnas and Domantas Sabonis in the front line.
Both of them are well known to the Frenchman from the NBA arena, especially Valančiūnas.
“Jon and I have been playing against each other since we were eighteen years old, and now I’m both very bearded,” the Minnesota Timberwolves rookie smiled. – There is always a fight between us. Jonas is a very good basketball player. I think he plays even better in the national team. We always fight really hard for our teams to win. I enjoy it.
Domantas and Jonas are strong physically and in their well-being. Do something against them as a team and make their life difficult. The two of them play really well together and it will be a challenge.”
Igno Brazdeikis’ comment before the match against France:
Kazios Maksvytis’ comment before the match against France:
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