MONACO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - France face two important games in the next window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers and Paul Lacombe expects Les Bleus to be in "warrior mode" for those battles.

“PLAYING FOR MY COUNTRY IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, SO I ALWAYS TRY TO PUT ALL MY ENERGY ON THE COURT”- Lacombe

France are joint leaders in Group K with Czech Republic with a 7-1 record. Vincent Collet's team will face the Czechs on November 30 in Pardubice with first place in the group on the line. France finish up the fifth window on December 3 at home against Bulgaria in Limoges. And France will book their ticket to China 2019 with one victory during the window.

"Those two games are going to be very important because we can qualify for the next FIBA Basketball World Cup. Those two games are not going to be easy, and we will have to play at our best level to win them," said Lacombe, who is one of only three French players along with Andrew Albicy and Moustapha Fall who has played in all eight Qualifiers. "I am confident in the team and on my teammates and the staff and we are going to be in a 'warrior mode' to try to reach our spot for China 2019."

France still have another game against Czech Republic in the final window - on February 24, 2019 at home after having played at Finland on February 21. So, the game in Pardubice later this month will not decide who wins the group, but it will give one team the advantage going into the final showdown.

"Czech Republic is a very good team and plays very good basketball," said Lacombe, who is averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 assists in the Qualifiers.

Lacombe and co will be out for a bit of revenge in Limoges against Bulgaria after they handed France their only loss of the campaign, 74-68 in September in Botevgrad.

"Bulgaria is in a great dynamic and did beat us on their home soil in September. We want to win those games and we will be ready for those two important battles. The defeat in Bulgaria was a bit frustrating, and we don’t want to experience that again," Lacombe said. "We want to show that the game against Bulgaria was just an accident, and bounce back by going on another winning streak. We are going to work hard to win and to have great performances like we did before the loss in Bulgaria."

The 28-year-old small forward accepts his role as a tough defender who can knock down the shots he gets.

"I always try to compete as hard as I can, and playing for my country is also very important and a unique opportunity for me, so I always try to put all my energy on the court," said Lacombe, who leads the team in steals and is one of the best long range shooters at 41 percent on three-pointers. "My way of playing is intense, but I love it this way. Playing defense, trying to be impactful when on the court and be a great teammate. Teamwork is the most important in my opinion."

The AS Monaco wing really values the Qualifiers - both playing against top level players and playing with the best players in France.

"I feel happy to be playing these games and I feel that I am improving and learning a lot by playing at an international level. You play against guys and teams that you don’t compete against often, and you share moments and practices, but also games with other French players that you usually play against too," Lacombe laughed. "I really enjoy the experience and I am always coming to training camp and the games with the same mentality and state of mind: giving it all and helping the team in any way possible. I love playing for the national team; I am always looking forward to do so when I am called to play for the national team."

“WE ARE GOING TO BE IN 'WARRIOR MODE' TO TRY TO REACH OUR SPOT FOR CHINA 2019.”- Lacombe

The European Qualifiers are Lacombe’s first experience with the French senior national team. He reached the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U18 European Championship 2008 and played at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2009 before helping France win the title at the FIBA U20 European Championship 2010.

He hopes his next success comes in the next window in helping France secure a World Cup berth for the fourth consecutive time. And Lacombe thinks the team should have high ambitions next summer in China.

"I think that the goal will be to have a great tournament and to keep showing that we are one of the best national teams in the world. We have potential and we can be ambitious, so we always want to aim and fight for the highest spots," he said. "There is still plenty of time before the start of next summer’s world tournament, and the teams that are going to be there are all going to be ambitious, but I am sure we will have the motivation to do something great."

Lacombe said France’s third place showing at Spain 2014 was an inspirational one since they accomplished it despite missing a number of their top players.

"What they did was so great, and winning that medal was a great achievement for French basketball because a lot of people didn’t expect them to do that well after the injuries of some players," Lacombe said. "The guys did an amazing job and that game against Spain (in the Quarter-Finals) was one of the best to watch, it was such a great team performance from 'Les Bleus' and very inspiring for every player that wants to play for the national team."

Lacombe said he would love to get a chance to play in his first major tournament next summer in China, but the focus is first on the games in November and December.

"I am only focusing on the next games coming for now and on helping the team get the spot to the next World Cup. For sure it would be good to play with the national team in a great competition like the FIBA Basketball World Cup, but it’s still early to have our minds into the competition," Lacombe said. "We have four more games to win to wrap up the qualifying round, that is all what I have in mind for now."

Paul Lacombe is already getting himself into "warrior mode".

FIBA