By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Starting a tournament with a 0-2 record is not ideal; however, after the second defeat of Slovenia, this time to France, the discussion in the press conference was centered on the last play of the game.
Coach Alex Sekulic defended the fact that his team attempted 46 free throws and complained about the way the other teams defend against Slovenia: “Sometimes I ask myself if I am on a basketball court or in some other venue regarding fighting”.
Still, the main point of friction was the last shot of the game, made by Sylvain Fransisco, who previously had shaken the hand of Luka Doncic, on a game already decided.
Veteran guard Klemen Prepelic, who was a teammate of Francisco in France, playing for Metropolitans, and spoke with him at the end of the game, explained the situation regarding his actions.
“He was too young when I played with him back in the season 2017-18, and it was under coach Fauthoux also”, Prepelic said.
According to the Slovenian guard, this incident will not be repeated by Francisco: “I like the kid, since the first day, he is a tough character, he has come a long way, very talented, very hardworking kid. I am really happy to see how he has grown; he has managed to take over his career. However, what he did at the end of the game is pretty disrespectful. You are just starting the get respect from the whole basketball, let’s say, and you are doing something like this, shaking the hand of the opponent, and then on top of scoring 30 points, having a great night obviously, he took care of business, to do something like this was, let’s say, very low level. He kind of appreciates my words, and he says it’s not going to be repeated”.
However, both French national team coach Frederic Fauthoux and Bilal Coulibaly defended Francisco for the last play.
“It’s important for the goal average, because we don’t know what might happen tomorrow or Tuesday. So all baskets are important; we need to score. This is true, it’s not about disrespecting your opponent”, said Fauthoux.
Coulibaly added: “If I were in their position, I would be mad too, but it’s part of the game, we’ve got to accept it”.
Photo credit: FIBA