The French national team has officially kicked off EuroBasket 2025, and among our correspondents this year is a unique feature: rating each game played by the Blues, with varying degrees of seriousness. Today’s match presented a derby, offering a perfect opportunity to warm up and throw in some punchlines. EuroBasket is underway, and so are the antics.
Belgium’s Performance
Emmanuel Lecomte (4): With double the turnovers compared to assists, Lecomte has shown skill, but it’s clear he needs improvement.
Jean-Marc Mwema (3): This marks Jean-Marc’s fifth EuroBasket, but is it perhaps too many? While we tease, he seems quite relaxed under the pressure.
Hans Vanwijn (6): He missed a straightforward dunk, making this game not notable for him—much like the author of this article. Regardless, Hans was the top Belgian player in this match, though it’s less amusing to write about.
Loic Schwartz (5): With 8 points in 18 minutes and a frustrating technical foul, his performance is unlikely to be memorable.
Kevin Tumba (3): Besides sharing a name that conjures up famous characters from The Lion King, his only highlight was being knocked down by Alex Sarr.
Ismael Bako (5): He had 11 points and 7 rebounds, showcasing both toughness and vertical ability—classic Bako.
Andy Van Vliet (4): Nearly a carbon copy of his namesake from Houston, he aims to contribute as a center but lacks the same level of talent.
Siebe Ledegen (3): Quite frankly, he entered the game while we were distracted.
Niels Van Den Eynde (5): With a crucial buzzer-beater and 6 assists, he delivered a solid performance, earning him endearing nicknames.
Joppe Menes (4): Fairly absent during the game, which fits our in-depth analysis.
Godwin Tshimanga (-): An impressive first name, but less impactful on the court.
Mamadou Guisse (5): His speed and desire meant he was a constant presence when on the court, earning our admiration.
France’s Highlights
Théo Maledon (5): He recorded 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, managing the game’s start effectively. He plays with the wisdom of a seasoned player, despite being only 20.
Elie Okobo (6): The top scorer for France, Okobo consistently targeted the basket, which bodes well as he steps up as an offensive leader for the team.
Zaccharie Risacher (6): With 10 points and a mature playing style, Risacher is set to take on a leadership role, projecting future stardom.
Bilal Coulibaly (7): Let’s be bold: Bilal was the standout player in this match. Athletic and composed for a 21-year-old, he recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, and he left us wanting to be his friend.
Isaia Cordinier (5): His athleticism shines through as he works to find his role, offering reassurance on both ends of the court.
Sylvain Francisco (6): With a stat line of 5 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, he was pivotal in creating initial momentum after joining as a sixth man.
Guerschon Yabusele (6): His reassuring presence justifies the captaincy bestowed by Freddy Fauthoux. He excelled on both ends, displaying commendable leadership.
Alexandre Sarr (5): Dominating inside when he wishes, he showed character and consistency, even if his statistics were low-key.
Nadir Hifi (6): Delivering exactly what was expected of him, he flashed potential on defense and scored 10 points in just 8 minutes.
Jaylen Hoard (5): Though not prominently featured, he performed his role well, recording 3 points and 2 rebounds.
Mouhammadou Jaiteh (5): As a starter, he secured 6 points and 4 rebounds with a perfect shooting rate, fulfilling his duties effectively.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (5): Similar to Hoard, he stayed out of the limelight but capitalized on his scoring opportunities, demonstrating solidity on defense.
Freddy Fauthoux (10): With 10 games leading the team resulting in 10 victories, he’s been a remarkable asset as a coach. His focus on offensive quality while also instilling strong defense is truly reassuring.
Grégoire Margotton (10): A successful debut for Margotton, showcasing his versatility and enthusiasm, while also getting a nod to captain Nicolas Batum for his impressive contributions.
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