The Kiwis have won three straight games after losing their first two to clinch third spot from Group D. They will face Russia on Monday. France finished fourth after losing its last two games and will face Turkey on Sunday.“We wanted to avoid Turkey, so it's a very big disappointment,” France coach Vincent Collet said. “I don't know why we lost our spirit.
Collet said his youthful team lost momentum Wednesday in a 69-55 loss to Lithuania
“When you lose the first game you show what kind of team you are,” he said. “And unfortunately, what we showed today was not the face I was hoping to see from this team.”
New Zealand used a 10-0 run in the first half to build a 39-25 halftime lead after making eight of 17 3-pointers. France shot 27 percent from the field in the first half. France closed the gap to 75-68 with 22 seconds left, but Penney made a four-point play to seal the match. “We're happy again that we're punching above our weight,” New Zealand coach Nenad Vucinic said. “But then again, we can't celebrate this win because we have to play in four days' time.”
Mika Vukona added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists for New Zealand. Yannick Bokolo led France with 13 points, and Michael Gelabale added 12. The teams' only previous meeting was a 76-50 win by France on its way to the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics.
