Basketball: France eyes maiden World Cup title in China

EuroBasket 2013 champion France seeks first basketball World Cup triumph in China 2019

By Emre Asikci

ANKARA (AA) - The 2013 EuroBasket winner, and 1948 and 2000 Summer Olympics' runner-up France will fight for its first World Cup title in China as the world's top-tier international basketball tournament begins on Aug. 31.

The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medalist, France will look for its maiden World Cup title with the help of its five NBA players.

New York Knicks' Frank Ntilikina, Charlotte Hornets' Nicolas Batum, Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier, Boston Celtics' Vincent Poirier and Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert are all playing for "Les Bleus" (The Blues).

Nando De Colo from Fenerbahce Beko and Amath M'baye from Pinar Karsiyaka will also be on the court for France.

France will take on Germany, Jordan and Dominican Republic in the 2019 World Cup Group G.

Les Blues won gold in the 2013 EuroBasket championship hosted by Slovenia.

France will play matches without veteran NBA star Tony Parker who retired from basketball in June 2019.

Four-time NBA Champion, Parker ended his 20-year career with Charlotte Hornets.

France ranks fourth in the world standings.

France's squad is as follows:

Andrew Albicy, Nicolas Batum, Nando De Colo, Evan Fournier, Rudy Gobert, Louis Labeyrie, Paul Lacombe, Mathias Lessort, Amath M’Baye, Frank Ntilikina, Vincent Poirier and Axel Toupane.

Germany

German team won the 1993 FIBA European Championship title. Also, the Germans earned the silver medal in the EuroBasket 2005.

It will compete in the tournament for the fifth time in its history.

Germany has three NBA stars; Boston Celtics' Daniel Theis, Oklahoma City Thunder's Dennis Schroder and Dallas Mavericks' Maximilian Kleber.

Germany rank 22nd in the world standings.

German point guard Ismet Akpinar -- having Turkish roots -- is expected to contribute to Germany in the 2019 World Cup.

In addition, Turkey's Besiktas player Robin Benzing will play for Germany.

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic has competed in two World cups so far; 1978 FIBA World Championship in Philippines and 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

It ranks 18th in the world standings.

Dominican Republic also received the bronze medal in the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship.

Dominican squad is as follows:

Eulis Baez, Juan Garcia, Victor Liz, Rigoberto Mendoza, Luis Montero, Dagoberto Pena, Ronald Ramon, Ronald Roberts, Sadiel Rojas, Gelvis Solano, Juan Miguel Suero, Eloy Vargas.

Jordan

Jordan last played in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where they completed the tournament in the 23rd spot.

It did not make any wins in five matches in Turkey.

Jordan rank 49th in the world standings.

Istanbul-born Fenerbahce player Ahmet Duverioglu will be Jordan's strongest player.

Jordan is one of five Asian countries competing in the tournament.

The Group G fixtures:

Sept. 1:

Dominican Republic - Jordan

France - Germany

Sept. 3:

Jordan - France