Ivory Coast and France will face each other in a must-win game for both teams in the FIBA World Cup 2023 today. The match will be played at the TBC venue in Jakarta, Indonesia, at 3:15 PM local time. Both teams are looking to bounce back from their disappointing losses in their opening games and keep their hopes alive for advancing to the next round.
Ivory Coast: A tough challenge ahead
Ivory Coast suffered a heavy defeat against Latvia in their first game, losing 95-65. The African team was outplayed in every aspect of the game, as Latvia dominated the boards, the assists, and the shooting percentages. Ivory Coast’s star player, Souleyman Diabate, had a poor performance, scoring only 8 points on 3-of-14 shooting. He will need to step up his game if Ivory Coast wants to have a chance against France.
Ivory Coast’s coach, Hugues Occansey, admitted that his team was not ready for the level of competition in the World Cup. He said that they need to improve their defense and their ball movement, as well as their confidence and mentality. He also praised France’s team, saying that they are one of the best in the world and that they have a lot of talent and experience.
France: A shock defeat to overcome
France was stunned by Canada in their first game, losing 88-86. The European team had a 12-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but they could not hold on to it, as Canada mounted a furious comeback. France’s defense collapsed in the final minutes, allowing Canada to score easy baskets and free throws. France’s offense also struggled, as they missed several shots and committed costly turnovers.
France’s coach, Vincent Collet, was disappointed with his team’s performance, especially in the fourth quarter. He said that they lost their focus and their intensity, and that they made too many mistakes. He also credited Canada for their resilience and their execution. He said that his team needs to regroup and learn from this loss, as they still have a chance to qualify for the next round.
France’s star player, Rudy Gobert, had a solid game, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, he also missed four free throws in the last two minutes, which proved to be crucial. He said that he takes full responsibility for his misses, and that he will work hard to improve his free throw shooting. He also said that he believes in his team and that they will bounce back against Ivory Coast.
What to expect from the game
The game between Ivory Coast and France is expected to be a close and competitive one, as both teams have a lot at stake. Ivory Coast will try to use their speed and athleticism to create problems for France’s defense, while France will try to use their size and skill to dominate Ivory Coast’s offense. Both teams will also need to improve their shooting and their decision making, as well as their composure and their discipline.
The key players for Ivory Coast are Souleyman Diabate, who is their leader and playmaker, and Mohamed Kone, who is their main scorer and rebounder. The key players for France are Rudy Gobert, who is their anchor and rim protector, and Evan Fournier, who is their sharpshooter and clutch performer.
The winner of this game will have a better chance of advancing to the next round, while the loser will face an uphill battle. Both teams will give their best effort and fight for every possession. It will be an exciting game to watch for all basketball fans.
