Brazil take positives from three losses against France

BIARRITZ (2016 Rio Olympics) - Rio Olympics hosts Brazil on Monday concluded a three-game warm-up series against France with a 79-53 defeat at Salle Saint-Jean in Biarritz, in the Southern part of France.

Endy Miyem led France with a game-best 18 points, Celine Dumerc finished with 11 points and Sandrine Gruda added 10 for Valerie Garnier’s team.

Despite Iziane Castro propelling the South Americans with 15 points and Damiris Dantas coming up with 13 points and six rebounds, Brazil couldn’t avoid their third defeat in as many games against France.

Our team is still incomplete without our two starting centers. France are too strong in the paint. But I take some positives because we are competing and defending hard."  - Barbosa

Following Brazil’s two defeats to France on Friday (81-54) and Sunday (82-59), they hoped to have improved some aspects of their game, but Carlos Barbosa's team return home with a lot of room for improvement and some positives taken from the six-day trip to France.

“I can’t be happy with three defeats,” Barbosa said. 

“We must understand that we have faced a team with a great rhythm. They are coming from a successful Pre-Olympic tournament [2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament], and they are the runners-up of the [Londons] Olympic Games.

“Our team is still incomplete without our two starting centers. France are too strong in the paint. But I take some positives because we are competing and defending hard," the veteran play-caller added.

“I foresee this team with chances of getting good results once we are complete.”

Brazil and France will face off again in the Olympics Group A on 11 August.

FIBA