Wembanyama Takes Charge in France's Dominant Win Over Slovenia

Victor Wembanyama asserted his leadership role after France's commanding 92-67 victory against Slovenia in a 2027 World Cup qualifying match at the Accor Arena. The French center took charge, setting an aggressive tone from the outset and inspiring his team to a crucial win.

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We worked well, we took the match seriously. It wasn't perfect in the third quarter, but it's a step forward.

"Of course, who else but me has this responsibility to do that?" Wembanyama stated, reflecting on his assertive start to the game. He noted the team's overall seriousness and commitment, acknowledging a slight dip in performance during the third quarter but emphasizing the overall forward momentum. The team showcased strong play, even with three centers on the court, maintaining their intensity throughout the match.

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Of course, who else but me has this responsibility to do that? We responded. Regardless of the rotation. We played with three pivots today. We never really backed down. That's good.

Wembanyama also addressed his role as captain, drawing parallels to the team's previous game against Serbia. He highlighted the importance of finding the right words in different situations to motivate the team. The synergy between Wembanyama and fellow center Rudy Gobert was a key talking point, with Wembanyama expressing optimism about their future collaboration on the court.

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In this case, we had almost the same score as against Serbia at halftime. It wasn't perfect in the third quarter either, but we must know how to find the right words according to the context.

"It's normal, it's only going to go in this direction. I hope to share the court with him for years," Wembanyama said of his partnership with Gobert. He praised the team's focus and execution, particularly their ability to attack the basket effectively, which proved difficult for the Slovenian defense to counter. The victory signifies a positive step forward for the French team as they continue their qualification campaign.

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It's normal, it's only going to go in this direction. I hope to share the court with him for years. It's good, it's a step forward.