Great Britain Women beaten by France in EuroBasket semi-final
By Press Association
Last Updated: 06/07/19 7:48pm
Great Britain were beaten 63-56 by France in the semi-finals of the Women's EuroBasket.
Game leaders
France
- Points: Marine Johannes - 20
- Assists: Marine Johannes - 5
- Rebounds: Sandrine Gruda - 10
Great Britain
- Points: Rachael Vanderwal - 12
- Assists: Temi Fagbenle - 4
- Rebounds: Johannah Leedham-Warner - 8
Chema Buceta's side had become the first British team, male or female, to reach the last eight of the sport's European championships when they beat Montenegro in a play-off and then went on to edge past Hungary.
But France, ranked fourth in the world, proved too strong and Britain will now go into the bronze-medal contest against either reigning champions Spain or hosts Serbia.
France guard Marine Johannes was the game's top scorer with 20 points, while Britain's Rachel Vanderwal made 12.
Britain had made a bright start, moving 10-2 ahead, only for France to finish the opening quarter strongly to trail 16-12 as Johannes landed a three-pointer.
The match was tied at 23-23 midway through the second quarter and France moved 49-43 ahead with 15 minutes to play.
Despite a rally from Buceta's side, to at one stage make it 54-51 with seven minutes left in the final quarter, France's experience showed as they closed out the victory.
Buceta's players have a guaranteed spot in February's Olympic qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020.
Having only ever appeared at the Olympics when given a host-nation berth, no British basketball team has ever qualified for a Games in its own right.
"We played the semi-final and this is the big news. We came here to this tournament to do something and we are doing something," Buceta said at a press conference, reported by www.fiba.basketball.
"It was difficult to play against them as they are a tall team. It was difficult for us to attack, but France is France and GB is GB.
"How is it possible we can play this kind of game against France? This is the question.
"Congratulations to France and we will be ready for the bronze-medal game."
