France narrowly loses to Serbia in friendly basketball match

Serbia edged out France 90-87 in a hard-fought friendly basketball match in Belgrade, with Nikola Jokic outplaying Victor Wembanyama. The French team, despite being in contention for much of the game and closing the gap to a single possession in the final minute, ultimately fell short.

France held its own in the first half, trailing by only one point at halftime. However, Serbia, led by Jokic, increased their intensity after the break. France struggled offensively and defensively in the third quarter, falling behind significantly. Jokic was instrumental for the Serbian team, contributing points and facilitating play, while Wembanyama had an inconsistent performance in his first game with the national team since the 2024 Olympics.

Despite trailing by 13 points in the final quarter, France mounted a late comeback. Stellar plays from players like Strazel, Fournier, and Ayayi brought them within striking distance. Wembanyama missed a potential game-tying shot, and a subsequent foul call on Francisco's free throw sealed the Serbian victory.

The two teams are set to meet again for another friendly in Orléans on Sunday. This match serves as preparation for both squads as they look ahead to the qualification matches for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.