Preview: France v GB
Details
GB v France
EuroBasket 2022 Qualifier
Monday 22nd February, 16:00 (GMT) tip
Podgorica
INTRO
GB face Group G winners France on Monday afternoon in the final game of the EuroBasket 2022 qualifying campaign.
Both teams go into the game off of narrow wins on Saturday – victories that confirmed their places in next summer’s tournament.
The opposition: FRANCE
With a Record of 4-1, France last night confirmed their place as group winners with a 73-71 victory over hosts Montenegro.
The French roster contains just two changes from the team that GB faced in Pau back in November. Thomas Heurtel – who spent the last four seasons with Barcelona – was the most notable player to return to the squad. The guard was France’s top scorer yesterday with 16 points. Andrew Albicy, Mathias Lessort and Amath M’Baye – who were all part of France’s World Cup roster in 2019 – remain in the squad.
Team news
GB go into the game with the same 12-man squad that faced Germany on Saturday.
Acting head coach Marc Steutel is keen to see his team finish the group on a high, despite qualification already being secured.
Steutel said: “France have a really rich heritage and a rich history in the competition. We faced them in the last window and, particularly in the first quarter, we didn’t feel we gave a particularly good account of ourselves, so I know that the guys will be really focused and ready to play.
“We’re obviously really pleased we have secured EuroBasket qualification before the game but that doesn’t take away from how we will be approaching the game – with professionalism and pride and representing GB as always and trying to finish the qualification window in the right way.”
How to watch
Tomorrow’s game is live in the UK exclusively via livebasketball.tv. A pass can be purchased for £8.49 and is available here.