03.07.2011

France Defeat Czechs To Conquer Bronze

Turning Point: After a game which swung back and forth, Sandrine Gruda sparked a run of nine consecutive points in the fourth quarter that gave the French an unassailable lead.

Game Hero: Gruda had a game-high 26 points, six rebounds and four assists on 10-for-12 shooting.

Stats Don't Lie: The French had 20 points off their bench, the Czechs just 5. A sign, perhaps, of fatigue.

Two years after claiming gold, France secured the consolation of bronze at EuroBasket Women with a 63-56 victory over the Czech Republic in Lodz.

Both teams came to Poland with greater ambitions in mind. Both have the consolation of places at next year's Olympic qualification tournament.

Only one, however, will take home a medal.

But it took a late surge for Pierre Vincent's team to earn a souvenir for their efforts this summer.

Gruda began her explosion with 8 points in the first quarter but Les Bleues trailed 20-15 as the Czechs delivered an energetic start.

The forward continued her personal assault in the second to draw the French level but Eva Viteckova was matching her, score for score, and she ignited a 6-0 run which sent her side 30-24 clear at half-time.

The dethroned champions hung on, bidding to retain pride even with the title of Europe's best no longer in their possession.

Marion Laborde hit a three-pointer that tied the game at 36-36 and although Katerina Elhotova responded in kind, the momentum had switched in France's favour.

Jennifer Digbeu drained an open three that put the French in front with 1:45 left in the third quarter and although the Czechs rallied to level again at 47-47 midway through the fourth, their challenge fell away.

Amid a decisive 9-0 burst, Celine Dumerc rose up to fire in a three-pointer with 3:56 left. Czech mate was achieved.

Despite 17 points from Elhotova and 14 from Michala Hartigiva, Lubor Blazek's side had to settle for fourth best.

03.07.2011

Quotes Czech Republic vs. France

Czech Forward Jana Veselá:
"We are disappointed to lose the game. We couldn't stop Sandrine Gruda who just had a great game today. However we are lucky to finish in the top four and to go to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next summer because other teams like Belarus and Spain won't be there."

France Guard Edwige Lawson:
"This game helps make up a little bit for not making the final. It was a tough game and such a mental game since both teams were exhausted. We showed a lot of heart. We want a podium finish every tournament we play and I am proud of this win. We showed our true character."

France Guard Celine Dumerc:
"It was a tough game since both teams wanted to win so much because it is still a great achievement to get any medal. Czech Republic are a really great team and I am happy because we didn't give up during the game when we were down. We worked hard to find the solution. We showed a lot of energy and I am so happy to finish the tournament in this way."

France Head Coach Pierre Vincent:
"I am very happy and especially because of how we lost against the Turkish National team in the semi final which was sad for us. But I never doubted my team -either mentally or their physical abilities. Sometimes we don't have the shooters but we can't stop shooting the ball and we have to take our opportunities which we did. We were also strong defensively."

Czech Head Coach Lubor Blazek:
"Unfortunately, we had too many turnovers and we weren't active enough offensively. We only shot eight free throws and those were points that we were missing at the end. So I'm disappointed. We didn't want to finish on a loss."

France Center Sandrine Gruda:
"I hope that people will come and support EuroBasket Women 2013. It's been a long time since it was held in France. Women's basketball needs spectators to grow."