30.06.2011

France Beat Lithuania, Reach Semis

Turning Point: Lithuania's point guard Rima Valentiene picked up a fourth foul, 10 seconds into the third quarter with her team leading 34-33. She headed to the bench and France went on a 14-4 run. They would never trail again.

Game Hero: France centre Isabelle Yacoubou-Dehoui was just domineering under the basket and her team fed her the ball to take full advantage as she shot 6/9 in the paint for a total of 13 points.

Stats Don't Lie: Rebounds for France: 39. For Lithuania: 28. Offensively, it was 29-20. In a physical content, Les Bleues proved the stronger.

The reigning champions have spoken loud and clear: ‘Don't write us off.'

France had to battle their way through injury and inconsistency to survive the group stages of EuroBasket Women but they now stand just two wins away from defending their title.

But they had to fight once more to book their place in the semi-finals with a 66-58 victory over Lithuania on Thursday in Lodz.

Now they will face Turkey on Friday evening for a place in the grand finale of the championships.

It surely cannot be harder than this. For 40 minutes, the two teams pushed and fought each other, refusing to give up.

France made its decisive move in the third quarter. Lithuania chased desperately but could not make up the lost ground.

They had looked so good when they led 23-17 midway through the second quarter, using their quickness to good effect.

The French turned to Yacoubou and Emilie Gomis to dive inside and cut the deficit.

Eventually, Celine Dumerc hit two free-throws that gave her team their first lead with 39 seconds left in the half.

Vaida Sipaviciute converted a lay-up. Narrowly ahead at the interval, it was the last time Lithuania would have the upper hand.

Early in the third, France began a 9-0 run and when they closed the third quarter with six more unanswered points, their advantage stood at 53-42.

Rima Valentiene returned, sitting on four fouls, and Lithuania made their push.

Eventually, Marina Solopova hit a three-pointer that saw her side trail 61-56 with 2:33 to go.

However, the French - led by a game-high 14 points from Gomis - held their nerve as both Valentiene and Sandra Linkeviciene were left to watch Lithuania's challenge for the European title end from the bench after fouling out.

Egle Sulciute had a team-high 10 points for Lithuania who face Montenegro on Friday as both teams try to keep their ambitions of ending up in fifth place alive.

 

30.06.2011

Quotes Lithuania vs. France

France Head Coach Pierre Vincent:
"I am so happy to win this game and can't find the words to describe it. I have to congratulate my friend Coach Paulauskas and his team also. We gave lots of energy and it was important for us. We wanted to make the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and now we will hope for the medals."

Lithuania Head Coach Algirdas Paulaskas:
"Congratulations to the French team. I think today was better for us but we lost the rebounds and the French players were just better than us in this game."

France Guard Celine Dumerc:
"It's a big pleasure to win this game because it was for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and that was our target. We were a little bit frustrated because we didn't show our fans before that we could be ready for this game but inside, we knew we would be ready when we needed to be. I am proud of my team-mates."

Lithuania Guard Rima Valentiene:
"Congratulations to France. It was a tough game. They showed they can get concentrated and they won the rebounds and were more powerful under the basket. They also shot the ball well."