FRANCE – ITALY. France qualifies for the last four of this Euro 2022 basketball after a new miracle and a new extension against Italy (93-85).
19:40 – The summary of the match
France joins the last four of Euro 2022 basketball (93-85). The Blues got rid of the Italians after a meeting as rich in emotions as against the Turks. However, Evan Fournier launched his own perfectly by managing to score 9 points in a few minutes. But after a technical foul from the Knicks leader, he calmed down and gave way to his teammates like Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot who finished the first period with 9 points, which made him the co-top French scorer. But the French address and the 56% at three points in the first half was again marred by several loss of balls, 11 exactly at the end of the first act. In the end, France leads by seven points after 20 minutes of play. Then comes the third quarter time which often rhymes with disaster since the start of the competition. And this one was no exception. The French lost 31-18 at the end of this quarter time and gave Italy a reason to believe. And even more than a reason to believe it, the Squadra Azzura went ahead at the end of the third quarter. And if France woke up in the last 10 minutes, it took another miracle to allow the Blues to find themselves at this stage of the competition. Led by two points with 19 seconds remaining, Simone Fontecchio advanced on the free throw line but the top Italian scorer in the competition missed his two shots and allowed Thomas Heurtel to capsize the French clan. He equalized and sent his team into overtime five seconds from the end. And in the last five minutes, Vincent Collet’s players took the measure of the Italians, who were surely still psychologically affected thanks to an excellent Thomas Heurtel who finished with 20 points and 7 assists. France will face the winner of the other semi-final which is played at 8:30 p.m. this Wednesday, September 14 between Slovenia and Poland.
7:25 p.m. – An XXL performance and a record for Thomas Heurtel
Thomas Heurtel was, without question, the man of this France – Italy. The Real Madrid full-back netted 20 points and was the X factor in the fourth quarter. But he also delivered 7 assists and broke the French record for the number of assists in a single European championship which was held by Tony Parker with 44 during Euro 2011.
19:20 – “It was war”, admits Yabusele
Guerschon Yabusele appeared very happy after this France – Italy to answer questions. He admitted that the match was trying: “It was war. We didn’t give up, we like to scare each other and this victory is really good. We are a real team and it’s really important to help each other and push each other.”
19:15 – It’s over! France qualifies
The Blues qualify after a new very happy ending in this France – Italy. Vincent Collet’s team qualified for the last four after extra time (93-85).
19:14 – The Blues take a big option
Thanks to a tap from Gobert, the Blues regain a four-point lead less than a minute from the end of this France – Italy.
19:13 – Forced passage for Gobert, Italy can equalize
Rudy Gobert commits a forced passage. The ball returns to Italian hands in this France – Italy. There are two points difference with 1min15 remaining.
19:12 – 2/2 for Gobert
Rudy Gobert manages the two baskets and gives four points in advance in this France – Italy.
19:11 – The Blues lead by two points
The atmosphere is unbreathable in this France – Italy. The Blues lead by two points (85-83). Rudy Gobert steps on the free throw line and Nicolo Melli has to go out after his fifth foul of the game.
19:10 – Technical foul against Pozzecco
What a mistake by the Italian coach in this France – Italy who commits a technical foul while his team had the ball.
19:08 – Heurtel is unstoppable
Thomas Heurtel reaches the bar of 20 points in this France – Italy. The Blues regain a three-point lead in this extension (85-82).
19:08 – Fifth foul for Fournier
Evan Fournier commits five faults and has to go out in this France – Italy.
19:07 – Collide on fire
Thomas Heurtel manages a floater and gives a three-point lead in this France – Italy (83-80).
19:06 – Again Spissu
Marco Spissu hurts the Blues in this France – Italy. He scored a three-point basket in this overtime. He is 4/5 in this exercise.
19:05 – Heurtel launches the Blues
He had been the last scorer in regulation time for this France – Italy, Thomas Heurtel launched his team with a two-point basket (79-77).
19:02 – France is still miraculous and snatches an extension
Incredible French team which, thanks to Heurtel, goes into extra time in this France – Italy. This is a second miracle after the one against Turkey.
19:00 – Fontecchio misses both! The Blues equalize
Fontecchio misses the two free throws in this France – Italy and the Blues manage to score in stride. There are 5 seconds left and a last Italian possession.
18:59 – Two free throws for Italy
The Italians will go to the free throw line in this France – Italy. If they put both, the case will be almost folded.
18:57 – Two points difference, 19 seconds remaining
The end of this France – Italy is very tense. The Blues are back to within two points but the Italians have the ball as they remain 19 seconds and 14 in possession for France. Time out requested by the Italian coach.
18:55 – Technical foul against Italy
The Blues can regain hope in this France – Italy. A technical foul is called against Italy and Evan Fournier brings his team to four points. Behind he scores a two-point basket and brings the France team to two points.
18:54 – Gobert’s new dunk
Rudy Gobert makes a new dunk in this France – Italy and brings the Blues to five points.
18:51 – It gets complicated for the Blues
France is seven points in this quarter-final against Italy which does not tremble like Fontecchio who scores a three-point basket. 75-68 for the Squadra Azzura. Collet requests a timeout 2 minutes 15 from the end.
18:49 – Gobert’s dunk
Rudy Gobert brings the Blues to two points in this France – Italy (68-70) after a furious dunk.