Latvia In Full Blums But France Prevail

Turning point: Janis Blums hit a three and then a free-throw to cut Latvia's deficit to 72-70 but Nicolas Batum drilled a shot from the left corner for France and the next time down the floor, Mickael Gelabale drilled a three-ball from the right wing for a 78-70 lead with 3:35 to play.

Hero: Blums had his best-ever game ever for Latvia, making six of nine shots from behind the arc en route to 32 points while Tony Parker took the honor for France after scoring a team-high 31.

Stats Don't Lie: France weren't able to match Latvia's blistering three-point shooting (11 of 23), but their 27 of 42 effort inside the arc was good enough to bring thing a well-deserved victory.

France had to survive a red-hot shooting display from Latvia captain Janis Blums to win their first game at the EuroBasket in Lithuania.

Blums buried six of his nine shots from long range en route to a game-high 32 points in the Group B clash but Vincent Collet's French team prevailed, 89-78.

Tony Parker had 31 for France after exploding for 19 after the break.

Latvia, roared on by many of their fans who made the one-and-a-half hour car ride to Siauliai, led by as many as eight in the first half and were on top 41-40 at the break.

France got their noses in front in the third quarter but the game hung in the balance with 4:31 to play in the fourth after Blums hit a three-ball and then split a pair of free-throws to cut the deficit to 72-70.

France's Nicolas Batum went to the other end and launched a successful three-pointer from the left corner and after a Latvia turnover, Mickael Gelabale hit a second straight shot from the arc for a 78-70 advantage.

Blums gave the Latvians one final hope with a drive and basket but Joakim Noah received a pass on the low post, followed up his own miss, scored and drew a foul on the play.

He sank the free-throw for a three-point play to take the lead back to eight.

France ended up winning by 11.

Latvia hit 11 of 23 shots from behind the arc to France's six of 19 effort.

The youngster of the Latvian side, 18-year-old Davis Bertans, sparked his team off the bench with nine points in 13 minutes.

Quotes France vs. Latvia

Latvia Head Coach Ainars Bagatskis:
„It is always hard to start every championship- it is the same for all teams including favorites. We are young, we are ambitious - we already know how to play now we need to learn how to win. The French team made less turnovers - that's one of main reasons why we lost today"

Latvia Guard Janis Blums:
„Congratulations to the French team with a victory. We are a young team, maybe we still lack some experience, but I think today we have shown to the whole Europe that we can play on this level "

Franc eHead Coach Vincent Collet:
„We are very happy to finish with a win, because what Latvia did in the first half was incredible. Despite this level of Latvia, we stood under control, especially offensively against the zone. I just hope we are going to become better and better"

France Point Guard Tony Parker:
„Latvia made it tough for us, Blums was on fire during the whole game, but we have managed to play better defense in the second half and won the game. Now when I have won everything in the NBA, Olympic Games is my dream."