Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Reactions from “Wemby”, Fournier and the Blues after the victory over Canada: “For us, it's not an exploit”

“Même quand il n’est pas efficace au tir, il est quand même exceptionnel pour nous”, estime Mathias Lessort.. MAXPPP – LP/Fred Dugit

Victor Wembanyama, Evan Fournier and Mathias Lessort were the key figures in the reaction of the French basketball team, which, after a poor group stage, eliminated Canada (82-73) on Tuesday, August 6, to qualify for the semi-finals of the Olympic Games.

Victor Wembanyama, power forward for the French team

“We must be the most physical and dominant team in the tournament.

Evan Fournier's shot? It's a bit the fruit of our efforts, because he doesn't make that shot if we have a bad dynamic, if we've taken three baskets before. It was the cherry on the cake. We would have won without that shot but it was the cherry on the cake. It just showed how fair Evan's game was, he couldn't even miss that shot.”

Evan Fournier, guard for the French team

“For me there's no problem. Vincent (Collet) has been my coach for 10 years. I'm not like the rookies, I have more experience, I have more status, I know what level I can play at. When I said that, it was just to move things forward. I trust Vincent, the players. Maybe I'm talking nonsense but I think it helped us.

For us, you know, it's not an achievement. Maybe for you it is. It's just that tonight we started playing the way we were supposed to.

How we managed to change everything? Lots of things. First, the change in line-up (of the starting five). The change in the way of playing. Vincent's speech for the last two days, the fact that everyone is shitting on us: there are plenty of elements that make it galvanizing."

Mathias Lessort, pivot of the French team

"The Wembanyama match ? It's just that Victor (Wembanyama) drew the defense on him tonight. Which meant that we had more opportunities. They were very focused on Victor. He wasn't successful. But the way he defended, took the rebounds, the attention he generated… As soon as he has the ball, everyone turns on him. It takes two or three players every time to stop him.
So, he freed up space for us. He is exceptional, Victor. Even when he is not effective in shooting, he is still exceptional for us.

A great revenge for Germany in the semi-finals? That's for sure. First of all, there is a place in the final to go for. Beyond revenge. But it is certain that we want to show another face than that of the group match (lost 85-71).”