Antoine Rigaudeau newly retired. Claude Bergeaud (national team coach) gave the captain duties to Boris Diaw. The competition had not even started that Boris must rally his troops. Two days prior to the opening game against Argentine, Tony Parker officially announced that he would forfeit the world championships. The ‘blues’ will have to play without their leader on the floor, sidelined with a fractured finger.

The goal in this first round is to secure one of the top places. Following a somewhat logical loss against Argentina while putting up a fight, Boris’ teammates will react the next day against Serbia. What seems like a formality becomes a nightmare. Winner over Nigeria, France slipped against Lebanon to everyone’s surprises. « I think we were overly confident. We thought that we just needed to show up on the floor to win the game but the problem was that at this level, in the World Championships we could not afford to play like that with such a mind frame » analyzed Boris. The French now have no room for error. A win against Venezuela is imperative and it is done with the manner.

One more game to win and France will play the quarter final, which was the goal at the beginning of these championships. Against Angola, the best African team of the moment, France is running ahead. Despite some scares in the last couple of minutes, the ‘Blues’ earn the W and the right to set up a game against Greece, the team that beat France at the Euro 2005. The game ? There will be none. « We missed a few easy baskets. They made us play poorly and were successful to put us out of rhythm. Greece is stronger than last year as they have been playing together since the Euro. We must accept this loss and we must not regret anything » will say Boris immediately after the game.

Eliminated from the competition, France must still play games for the rankings from 5 to 8. Boris, assuming his captain status will push his teammates not to let anything go. Victorious against Germany and Turkey, France will end up a very nice fifth place. « It is a very good result for the French team. Except against Lebanon when we did not play, we lost against Greece, the finalist and against Argentina, semi-finalist of the competition. We thus have nothing to be ashamed of » will say Boris.