The French team have been in grave danger since the start of the World Cup on August 25th. The Blues lost one game too many (95-65) to another big favorite for the world title, Canada. This defeat is very annoying. Of course, that doesn’t exclude Vincent Collet’s team from the race for the coveted title. But she seriously complicates his affairs.

The Olympic runners-up grilled their only joker of the tournament. To advance to the second round, they need to finish in the top two of their group, which also includes Latvia and Lebanon. With Canada likely already promising first place, the Blues have to beat Latvia on Sunday (3:30pm beIN Sports). In case of defeat, France will already go home. A year after the Paris Games, it will no longer be a failure but an ugly shipwreck. If things go well against Latvia, who punished weak Lebanon a bit earlier (109-79), then we don’t have to lose to expected Spain and Brazil in the second round either. Otherwise, France will not reach the quarterfinals. Yes, it gets complicated from the start.

We expected an exciting, close and physical match and that was the case at least for the first 20 minutes. The first half of this World Cup opener was overwhelming. The two teams returned blow for blow. The Blues got off to an ideal start (7-0) but the Maple Leaf team of 7 NBA players didn’t panic. Neither did the French as the Canadians came back in goal and all balls became important. At the end of the first quarter, the Olympic runners-up were ahead (18:14, 10th), but at halftime the Canadians came back with a lead of three points (40:43). Evan Fournier’s 19 points were very valuable.

Unfortunately, this delay increased from the start of the second half and the Canadians inflicted an ugly 9-2 on the French. The turning point of the game. Supported by their All Star NBA Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadians continued to press where it hurts. With no solution or reaction, the French took the water (44-59, 37th). They even went under when they conceded a cruel 25-8 (48-68) in the third quarter. A ten minute air bubble that hurt and which the Blues lost entirely could not be replenished to end up 30 points clear of the Canadians. A great quack in Mondiovision, very surprising and annoying. We have to react quickly and well from this Sunday, August 27th. Otherwise…