France beat Italy to close tournament

France finished off the competition in Cervia, Italy with a victory (61-51) against the hosts Italy. Sandrine Gruda marked her authority in this game right from the tip-off scoring the first 8 points for France. France opened the first significant gap early in the second period to lead by nine points. Italy find the energy and resource to inflict a 9:0 run of their own to trail by only 2 points at the interval.

France extended their advantage to five point by the end of 3rd period and killed the game as a contest midway through the final period. In general it is a game that both coaches will have a lot to reflect about. France gave a solid demonstration of what they can do in defence but will have to work on their free throws. Italy have played better and did not do themselves justice in this game. A game that both coaches will want to quickly forget as neither team played well for any significant period of time.

Both teams are in the same group for the European championships and will play each other again on the 26 September.

France 61 - 51 Italy ( 13-10, 15-16,14-11,19-14)

France: Beikes 0, Le Dréan 4, Dumerc 14, Gruda 18, Lawson-Wade 7, Sauret-Gillespie 5, Reghaïssia 3, Gomis 0, Bade 2, Dijon 5, Yacoubou 3

Italy: Franchini 3, Sottana 2 , Zara 6 Zanoli 2 , Modica 0, Masciadri 5, Giauro 2 , Ress 4 , Dacic 6 , Macchi 21