France Dominates Colombia, Nears World Cup Qualification

Colombia, although ranked higher by FIBA (19th compared to the Philippines' 39th), displayed a physical, albeit somewhat rudimentary, style of play.

Undeniably, the limited joint training sessions impacted the French team's efficiency, leading to less reliance on their interior game (Dominique Malonga scored 6 points, while Aminata Gueye had none). However, their three-point shooting was quite effective, hitting 40.7% of their attempts.

The upcoming matches in the tournament against Germany, Nigeria, and South Korea will provide the French squad with further opportunities to test their mettle.

Dominant Start Followed by Untidy Play

Coach Jean-Aimé Toupane opted not to include Janelle Salaün in the lineup due to a knee issue, with Marine Johannes stepping into the starting five. Leïla Lacan ignited the offense with a three-pointer, setting the tone for France's explosive start, which saw them lead 11-0 in a swift 1 minute and 45 seconds. Colombia finally got on the scoreboard after four minutes, with Daniela Gonzalez sinking a three-pointer, having already conceded 15 points.

From that point, the Colombians began to find some footing. Concurrently, the French team's play grew somewhat disjointed – even with Leïla Lacan and Romane Bernies on the court – marked by a lack of shooting accuracy. This allowed Colombia to reduce the deficit to 13 points (22-9) by the end of the first quarter.

Gabby Williams and her teammates effectively prevented the South Americans from establishing a cohesive offensive rhythm. On their end, however, poor decision-making and imprecise execution meant they struggled to fully capitalize on their dominance. Despite this, France significantly extended their lead in the final minutes of the first half, reaching 43-22. Leïla Lacan was particularly impressive, contributing 13 points in under 9 minutes of play.

The French team started the second half with renewed intensity, swiftly pushing their lead to 30 points at 52-22. They then experienced a brief dip in performance, allowing Colombia to narrow the gap to 55-34 before France once again surged ahead, closing the third quarter at 65-36.

The South Americans played with considerable physicality, frequently committing fouls. Migna Touré further solidified France's commanding position with a three-pointer – her third out of four attempts, contributing to her 16-point total – pushing France's lead beyond 40 points (82-41).

Tomorrow is a designated rest day for the "Bleues," with no training scheduled. Their next match is set for Saturday at 8:30 PM against Germany.