Following impressive performances at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the European Championships in 2022, France were tipped by many international betting sites to be firmly in the mix at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
However, losses to Canada and Latvia have seen them confined to the 17th-32nd classification finals and they look to have some serious questions to answer moving forwards.
Since the early 2010’s, the French men’s basketball team has seemingly been on the rise across all aspects and their presence at the top table of international basketball has become par for the course.
Heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia, France were well backed by domestic and international betting sites to enjoy yet another good run.
However, despite some stellar individual talent in their ranks and plenty of NBA and big game experience, France have come up short in 2023, much to the bemusement of punters and betting sites alike.
As the French side move into the classification finals, MyBettingAustralia looks at what might have gone wrong at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and which teams from Group H could kick on after seeing off France and challenge for the title.
The end of a cycle for France?
Whilst not many punters or pundits necessarily saw it coming, the 2023 FIBA World Cup could transpire to be the end of a cycle for France.
Head coach Vincent Collet has been in charge for over a decade and whilst he has been revolutionary within the French team, questions are being asked by many betting sites as to his suitability within the role moving forwards.
Also, key players such as Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert have been putting in the performances for France for the best part of 10 years, without too much support.
Completely writing off France moving forwards seems a bad idea, with Les Bleus capable of beating anybody on their day and they will be looking to use the classification finals as an opportunity to blood new talent.
They are the favourites to finish 17th in the classification finals with many multi betting platforms, coming in at $2.50 with Bet365.
Canada set to kick on?
For all of the disappointment being experienced by the French team currently, the Canadian side are operating at the other end of the emotional scale.
Overcoming France, and then also negotiating tricky ties against Latvia and Lebanon has left Canada in position to challenge for the FIBA World Cup title for the first time in their history.
Seen as a dark horse by many betting apps in this competition, Canada are a well-drilled side, who are full of confidence and they look to be ready to go all the way here in Asia.
The chances of the Canadian team winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup looks to be continually improving with Victorian bookmakers and they are $5.50 to go on and win the title with VicBet.
Latvia ready to spring a shock?
Seeing off France certainly wasn’t in the script for Latvia, who now find themselves in the last 16 and with a shot at FIBA World Cup glory here in Asia.
Often overlooked by existing and new betting sites, Latvia are growing in confidence on the world stage and they will be hoping to progress even further in the competition.
Having run Canada very close, as well as seeing off France and Lebanon, Latvia are in a position to go further than they ever have been before in the FIBA World Cup and their progress is being tracked by all of the major betting apps.
There are plenty of countries that won’t fancy taking on Latvia and at $40 with BoomBet, they certainly look to have an outside shot here of creating history in 2023.
Very few Aussie bookmakers would have predicted that Olympic silver medalists France would bomb out of the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the group stages.
With les bleus confined to life in the classification finals, the likes of Canada and Lativa plough on, chasing basketball World Cup glory for the first time.
