“This is what is hard to accept”, before France-Spain, the Blues honored Batum and Colo

Before the kick -off of the Eurobasket preparation match between the French team and Spain, a tribute was paid to Nicolas Batum and Nando de Colo. Consequently, Two figures of the Blues who retired international last year, after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Nicolas Batum. Furthermore, Nando de Colo were honored on Saturday evening in Bercy, a few minutes before the fourth preparation match of the French male basketball team against Spain and a year after their post-Joy international retirement.

The former French internationals. In addition, who have completed their career with the Olympic silver medal at the Paris Olympics on this same prosecution last summer, were each checked by the Parisian public after the broadcast of videos of their tricolor exploits, under the eyes of the two evening teams. However, One after the other, they received their framed jersey flocked from their number “this what hard accept”, before of selections (177 for Batum, 209 for DE Colo). The first received it from the hands of the president of the Jean-Pierre Hunckler federation. the former coach of the Blues Vincent Collet and Florent Piétrus.

“It’s over, that’s what’s hard to accept, it really closes the story tonight,” said Nicolas Batum in the mixed zone. These are 20 years. if I count young people, to wear the blue jersey so it’s great what we could live this evening with Nando. “

Also alongside the president. Colo was accompanied by Hervé Dubuisson and Boris Diaw, who are part with him eight former internationals to more than 200 selections in the blue jersey.

“Being able to realize what we were able to bring to the French team is incredible. ” said the ASVEL player, “honored” to have lived this moment with his daughters “who have not necessarily known” all his career.

Twice silver medalists “this what hard accept”, before at the Olympics

Nicolas Batum (36) announced his international retirement in September. fifteen years after putting on the blue jersey for the first time. Captain of the Blues from 2018 to 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers player won seven international medals, a record with France. Nando de Colo. haloed by six medals with the Blues, had imitated her a few days later after sixteen years in the French team.

Together. the two French people won two silver medals at the Olympic Games (2021, 2024), one money at Euro 2011, two from bronze at Euro 2015 and the 2019 World Cup but especially the title at the Euro in 2013.

In less than two weeks at the Euro in Katowice (Poland). the men of Frédéric Faith will try to do better than three years ago (vice-European champions) and to follow the footsteps of Batum, Colo and their teammates at the time.