FRA - Breathtaking Batum

SIAULIAI (EuroBasket 2011) - Nicolas Batum was dynamic, fearless and relentless for France on Monday night in their 97-96 overtime win against Serbia.

Just 22, the 2.01m Batum used the basketball court as if it were his own personal runway.

No player at EuroBasket 2011 can take off and explode to the basket the way the Lisieux-born small forward does.

He mixed grace with power on both ends of the floor and did so against one of the best teams in the world.

Against the mighty Serbia basketball machine, Batum was breathtaking.

He used his quick leaping ability, long arms and anticipation to intercept passes.

Batum finished with four steals.

He also managed to find space when there seemed to be none to leave the floor before navigating around air-born Serbian defenders to either dunk or lay the ball in.

Batum showed something else on Monday in helping France claim a victory that has left them with a 2-0 record heading into Round Two.

While jumping high to deny a pass, he lost his balance and fell to the floor, slamming his head to the hardwood in the process.

After a few motionless minutes, and being tended to by the France trainers, Batum stood up and asked to stay in the game but was told by the referees to go to the bench.

He soon returned and wore a white bandage around his head to cover an open wound above his right eye, giving him the appearance of a wounded soldier in battle.

"I need some stitches," said Batum, who scored 18 points, immediately after the game.

Batum then smiled and said: "During the game I said, 'No stitches! I want to play.'"

The presence of Batum gives France another option when they are in dire need of points.

The awesome sight of him carrying the ball zeroing in on the basket time and time again against Serbia is not going to be forgotten by anyone lucky enough to have seen it.

"They were focusing on Tony (Parker) and Boris (Diaw), so I knew I had to go," Batum said.

"I tried to attack the basket."

FIBA