Post-up and half-court basketball: Team France explains Georgia’s old-school game

Georgia has the lowest average number of possessions (68.2) since the start of EuroBasket 2025. However, they make up for this slow pace by dominating in a key area: offensive rebounding. Capturing 38.5% of balls in this area, they rank second in the competition, just ahead of France (37.1%, 4th). A physical challenge that Frédéric Fauthoux’s men must face this Sunday in Riga.

« An unusual team » according to TLC

The French players have studied their opponent in detail through scouting reports and long video sessions. « It’s true that they’re an unusual team, one we’re not used to playing against, who plays very tall and physical with very good players. We’ve had time to watch good, long videos that taught us quite a bit about the players, both starters and bench players, » explained Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot.

Élie Okobo emphasized the expected defensive intensity and overall game plan: « We’re going to play with a lot of intensity. We’ll make it difficult for them to set up their systems. Try to push everything further out, make them catch the ball far (from the basket) and deny passing lanes so the ball doesn’t go from one side to the other and they can’t easily feed the ball inside. It won’t just be one-on-one post-up defense, because of everything that happens before. (We’ll need to) make them run too. »

The offensive rebounding challenge

Théo Maledon didn’t fail to mention the opponent’s main weapon: « Their interior sector and rebounding activity. They’re one of the best teams in the Euro in this area. We’ll need to limit their number of possessions, otherwise it could become a problem. »

Frédéric Fauthoux knows that Team France will need to adapt to a team that sets up their basketball in the half-court: « Georgia tends to slow down the game. This famous post-up game, physical, tough, it’s something we’re not necessarily used to facing, but we’ll have to adapt. Just as they might have to adapt to us too. »

A first official France – Georgia matchup

While this round of 16 will be the first official meeting between the two countries, France and Georgia have met before in preparation games. The first time in Riga in 2008 (French victory under Michel Gomez with 13 points from Nando De Colo, 12 from Tony Parker and Ronny Turiaf, and 9 from Stephen Brun). In 2013 in Antibes, Boris Diaw shone (14 points) in an 86-71 win. Finally, in August 2015 in Rouen, Team France won decisively (95-53) with Nando De Colo once again decisive (17 points). Team France’s goal is simple: remain undefeated against Georgia by the end of the day.