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Pierre Vincent could not have asked for a better start to the senior international basketball season for France as they cruised to victory against Belgium (84-59). For Belgium it was a dramatic opening because Lieselot Malfait arrived just in time for the tip-off. While the final scoreline did not favour the guests, Emma Meesseman confirmed her status as a player to watch for the future with a strong display to lead her team with 16 points. In the opening game Greece ran out winners over Israel (69-60) with Bourges Basket player Styliani Kaltsidou stealing the show with 19 points and 4 steals. for Edwige Lawson-Wade Edwige Lawson-Wade (in picture) scored 9 points and dished out 3 assists in her first game for France in almost four years. However it was Clémence Beikes with 8 points during the first six minutes that got France on their way (13-9). Belgium did their best to stay in the game. But they did not have the physical presence to cope with players such as Isabelle Yacoubou-Dehoui, Nwal-Endéné Miyem and Sandrine Gruda (below in picture with ball). By half time they trailed (27-49). The second half was much better for Belgium, especially the third quarter in which Emma Meesseman (left in picture on the right), helped by Stéphanie Dubuc, converted any French error into points. Yet France were never in danger of losing the match and Pierre Vincent continued to turn his bench regularly as he tried out new systems. For Arvid Diels, the Belgium coach, there were plenty of positives, they just missed out on scoring 60 points which is the objective for each match. The cuts into the paint from Noémie Mayombo and Antonia Delaere as well as the inside-outside variation of Meesseman were satisfying. However he would like his players to try and draw more fouls. France visibly stepped off the gas towards the end but still won by a comfortable margin. France (84-59) Belgium (25-16, 24-11, 14-17, 21-15) France: Isabelle Yacoubou-Dehoui 9, Nwal-Endéné Miyem 15, Clémence Beikes 8, Sandrine Gruda 14, Edwige Lawson-Wade 9 (3 assists), Céline Dumerc 4, Jennifer Digbeu 4, Emilie Gomis 8, Aurélie Bonnan 7, Emméline Ndongue 1, Marion Laborde 5, Florence Lepron 0 Belgium: Romina Ciappina 9, Stéphanie Dubuc 3, Antonia Delaere 7, Miete Celus 5, Sofie Hendrickx 7, Kim Mestdagh 3, Noémie Mayombo 8, Emma Meesseman 16, Jaleesa Maes, Lieselot Malfait 0, Emmanuella Mayombo 4, Hariet Bende DNP
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13 June 2011: France rest unbeaten while Russia takes second place
12 June 2011: Day two delight for France
11 June 2011: Plenty of drama on the opening day
29 May 2011: France beat Greece, while Belgium defeat Israel
28 May 2011: Emma Meesseman leads Belgium to victory
27 May 2011: France and Greece open with victories in Ain