FRA - The small details are important : Albicy

AUCKLAND (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Pint-sized French captain Andrew Albicy has been one of the stars of the tournament, averaging 14 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals per game. He spoke to Paulo Kennedy from www.fiba.basketball about his team’s heartbreaking quarter final loss to Australia, and what he has learned from the tournament.

You look heart-broken, it must be very disappointing to lose such a close quarter final like that?

Yes, it is. We knew that we could win, but in the small details of the game we were disappointing.

What were you thinking when you were five points in front with four minutes remaining and your team was on a roll?

We thought that we could kill the game, but we made some bad decisions. In important games you have to make big plays, and we did not quite do that today, so that is it.

Your team shot the ball with great confidence today, and that very nearly won you the game.

We know we have a very good game from three point range. I always try to find my teammates on the three point line. Against Greece we did not make our shots, but tonight Christophe Leonard and Nicolas Lang were very good, and my shots were dropping too.

You had a great win against a very good Lithuanian team, you nearly beat a very good Australian team, what do you take out of this tournament?

During the big games we have to be very, very economical. We learned a lot, about how important the small plays and small details are.

What do you learn personally from playing against Australia, USA and other teams from around the world who play different styles to what you are used to?

It is true, playing against Australia and other teams is a much different style. But to win games internationally you have to be able to play those styles, so it is a good experience.

What is it like to play for France at the FIBA U19 World Championship?

It is an honour for anybody to play at world championship. To be at the level to compete at a world championship and be selected really is an honour.

Paulo Kennedy
FIBA