Les Bleues Lose 3×3 Basketball World Cup Final to United States | Sport365.fr

Published on June 4, 2023 at 6:50 p.m.

Mathieu Warnier

Les Bleues failed to follow up. Crowned world champions last year in Antwerp, the Tricolores gave up their title after the final, this Sunday in Vienna. A last day which had however started very well on the occasion of the semi-finals. Opposed to Australia, the teammates of Marie-Eve Paget (11 points) knew how to make the difference. Thanks to two chained two-point shots, the France team flew to the scoreboard. A mattress of five units which was gradually eaten away by the Australians, who however were never able to get closer to less than two lengths of the Blues. Thanks to two last free throws signed Marie-Eve Paget, Les Bleues sealed the fate of the match (21-17) and validated their ticket for a second consecutive world final against the United States, who had made little case of the Chinese selection a few minutes earlier (20-12).

See you in a year. @Paris2024 we will be there.#3x3WC | @ffbasketball 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/mIY5HhHndQ

— 3×3 FFBB (@3x3ffbb) June 4, 2023

Les Bleues too quickly overtaken in the final

As in 2021 during the semi-finals of the Olympic tournament in Tokyo, it was the Americans who had the last word. Sharper on their first possessions, the teammates of Hailey Van Lith (7 points) entered the race in the lead against too undisciplined Habs. After coming back up, the latter conceded a 4-0 which allowed the Americans to stand out on the scoreboard. While the gap fluctuated between three and five units, the faults accumulated to the point of reaching the total of ten offering two free throws and possession to the American selection. Cierra Burdick (7 points) did not shake on the line, the players of the United States took an eight-point lead and put a hand on the trophy. Two last free throws from Marie-Eve Paget (4 points) put an end to this final with an American victory (16-12). Nine years after their second and last title, the Americans are once again at the top and dislodge Les Bleues from first place on the podium.