Andrew Albisio’s emotion for his final match with the Blues in France

This great first for the French national team in the qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup, against Belgium, was also the scene of a great last. While he will retire from the national team after the next game in Finland, Andrew Albicci played the last match with the Blues on French soil.

For his 109th selection, the leader gave a solid game, as a symbol of his career, reacting like a lieutenant all these years, when we didn’t expect him.

With his 5 points, 6 assists and 2 interceptions for 14 points, it was he who was in the ascendancy of the Blues after a delicate start. He was also part of the fun at the end of the match scoring 3 points during the tricolor behind the arc that sealed the fate of the match.

The beginning of a new era

The match was marked by a video that paid tribute to him, replaying his finest epics in Blue, including his five medals: two silvers at Euro 2011 and 2022, a bronze medal at the World Cup (2019) and two silver medals at the last two Olympic Games.

“A lot of emotions. As you know, I really like wearing this jersey, and I’ve always struggled to wear it. I try to keep it as wet as possible, to be useful to the winning team. I’m still proud to have contributed to this pile of medals. It’s the end, but also the beginning of a new era, which can be better. I hope so., he stated after the meeting won by France with 79-63. “I try to ignore the crowd during the match. I know it was a special moment, but I was really focused on winning. Especially for my last match in France, I wanted to win. I was really focused on that. I tried to control the match, to contribute as much as possible, and it went well. So much the better.”

The French coach Freddy Fauthn also paid his respects, who once again proved how valuable he can be to Andrew Albisi, especially at the start of the match, when he had to break the ice.

“For everything he has already done, I admire a lot. Because we can’t have so many selections if we don’t have heart, loyalty and talent, of course.” he confided. “I am very happy that he ended his penultimate match like that, in a victory in which he was both very effective and useful to the team. It proves that experience cannot be bought. Andrew has brought cheerfulness to this team. We can take our hats off to him, because he has brought a lot to French basketball. I don’t know if we will do better than he said, but at least we will.”

As an equally symbolic transfer of power, as Fredy Fauthouk, the monastic leader, pointed out Matthew Strazel will join the group for the trip to Finland. Another Euroleague player will be with him, Bodian Massa (Aswell).