How much has this entry into the World Cup occupied you in the last few days?
Vincent Collet : Before the last few days: since they played their first (preparatory) games in Europe a good two weeks ago. The first game is not decisive, but it can put us in the competition. It’s a big chunk, to me on paper it’s a candidate team for the podium. It’s a team that wants to reveal itself and that has become a real team compared to two years ago. We feel like they want to prove and show things and not just come for a little tour. They want to move up the hierarchy. They’re pretty much in our situation a few years ago. We know we need to be there immediately to bring them to their senses.

also readBasketball World Cup: when and on which channel to watch the Blues games

What is the key to defeating them?
There are several of them. You have to be able to defend compactly and not let them play the game they love, one-on-one. They are probably the strongest team of the tournament in this area alongside the Americans. This is very rare for us as we have often been in this situation. We must defend together.

Expectations must be justified.

Vincent Collet

They are among the favorites and the players announce their desire to bring the first league title to France. Should we still this ambition?
No, but create the conditions for it. If you say it loud and clear, you give (the media) food for thought and can speak up when something doesn’t happen or when it does. But in reality it doesn’t work: we have to be good from tomorrow (Friday) and keep getting better over time. Of particular note is that (this favorite status) is new compared to previous World Cups. It still means there is development, but we have to justify the expectations.

Comments collected during a press conference