TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran basketball team head coach Hakan Demir says that his team was exhausted against France.
Team Melli lost to France 82-55 in Group P of the FIBA World Cup 2023 on Thursday.
Iran had previously lost to Brazil, Ivory Coast and Spain in the Preliminary Round.
“After the Spain game, we did not get much rest, then played France. They rested more than us, and they came out strong,” Demir said after the match.
“We also could not use Hamed Haddadi in this game. They were also better defensively and offensively in the 2nd half,” Iran’s coach added.
“Also in crucial moments, our main guys stayed out of the game. Arsalan Kazemi could not continue and Behnam Yakhchali was injured,” he noted.
“Also, some guys did not show the performance we expected from them. We did not use our opportunities well, and we lost the game,” Demir concluded.
