The fact that France pulled away in the first quarter was a major concern for the three commentators.

"Now we need to find ways to get the other scoring options moving," Liu Du said. "Lu Yu still needs to find ways to organize more outside attacks."

“Yes, France’s Cora is very good at help defense. He often works with Camille to double-team Sun Meng, which has resulted in Sun Meng’s low mid-range shooting percentage.” Meng Xiaotong looked at the appalling statistics.

Feng Xu analyzed, "Now the Chinese team needs to find other ways to alleviate Sun Meng's offensive pressure. The biggest problem is still the connection between the inside and outside offense. Once Sun Meng is shut down, the situation will be very unfavorable. But fortunately, the point difference is still within a controllable range. Although the French team runs fast, based on past experience, the players' stamina drops significantly in the second half. The key is to see if they can keep the score close in the second half and prevent the point difference from widening further."

In the Chinese team's rest area off the field, Zeng Ling remained calm, as if this losing situation was within his expectations.

Zeng Ling held the tablet computer and methodically adjusted the tactics.

He spoke quickly, “The French team’s point guard, Lucia, just has a very special passing rhythm. It’s not that she can’t intercept the ball. Her dribbling rhythm is very similar to Ongpe’s. When changing direction, they both move their feet first and then feint their shoulders. Don’t be fooled by the illusion. In this way, Lu Yu and Chu Feiyu will switch defensive positions.”

Chu Feiyu was taken aback. She hadn't performed well in the first quarter, and now she was going to go one-on-one with a key player from the French team. She was a little nervous.

Zeng Ling, without bothering to soothe Chu Feiyu's emotions, said, "Just switch positions and guard her, don't get stuck on the details. How you usually train to get past Ong Pei, do the same thing to Lucia today. Feiyu, be bold and intercept the ball. I can't find someone to substitute for you right now. No matter how difficult it is, don't try to double-team Lucia. That definitely won't work. You have to rely on yourself."

"Lu Yu, bring out your offensive game." Zeng Ling turned to Lu Yu and said, "The biggest defensive pressure is now on Chu Feiyu. You focus on organizing the offense. Besides finding ways to pass the ball inside, you also need to be decisive with your shots. As long as we have one more scoring option, the French team's defensive formation will be difficult to maintain. Also, Ren Qiqi, be more aggressive on defense. Don't always let Sun Meng face two opponents at once. When you see Ke La moving, force her to stop immediately."

The whistle blew as the signal sounded, and Zeng Ling finally finished his rapid-fire speech.

Lu Yu wiped the sweat off her face with a towel, stood in a circle with her teammates, and then placed her hand on her teammates' folded hands.

"One! Two! Go for it—!"

In the tense atmosphere of the competition, no one has the time or opportunity to balance their inner turmoil. Regret and resentment can only be transformed into the courage to continue fighting, merging into the massive, collective cheers.

The second quarter begins.

China has possession of the ball.

Luca dribbles the ball, and France's Lucica accelerates to chase and defend.

Sudden--

A figure suddenly appeared in front of Lucia.

Chu Feiyu instantly accelerated and ran in front of Lucica, forcing Lucica to stop her pace.

Chu Feiyu's close marking caused Lucia considerable trouble.

In an instant, Lu Yu had dribbled the ball to the three-point line.

The French shooting guard had no choice but to accelerate to help defend, but Lu Yu didn't stop his footwork. With two large shoulder feints and a quick change of body weight, he instantly faked out the French shooting guard.

The French power forward had just moved his feet, preparing to block Lu Yu's inside cut, when Lu Yu turned sideways and passed the ball to Ji Yun, who was coming to receive it.

Ji Yun dribbled the ball forcefully into the paint and jumped high.

At the same time that Ji Yun jumped, French center forward Kolla also jumped.

Ji Yun's shooting form was already set, but once the ball was released, it was obvious that it would be blocked by Kora.

"ah--!"

While in mid-air, Ji Yun immediately withdrew one hand, involuntarily letting out a shout. He held the ball with one hand, his slightly bent knees and arm suddenly straightening—

The basketball left his hand and flew towards the basket.

Although the shot avoided Cora's block, the hasty one-handed shot lacked power, and the ball's landing point seemed to deviate from the basket.

Just when everyone thought it was another disappointing missed shot—

"boom--"

The basketball hoop made a loud noise.

It's Ren Qiqi under the basket!

When Ji Yun's shot slipped from his hand, Ren Qiqi immediately jumped up and caught the basketball in mid-air, then decisively dunked it.

"A beautiful alleyway!" Liu Du shouted.

Feng Xu took a deep breath and said, "That was too close. Ji Yun reacted very quickly. He almost got blocked by Kola. Fortunately, Ji Yun has good mid-air adjustment skills."

Possession returned to the French team.

France's fast-paced attacking ability remains impressive, seemingly unaffected by the previous goal.

Within ten seconds, Camille had already dribbled into the paint.

Sun Meng closely guarded Camille, and just as Cora was about to move forward to block Sun Meng's position and create shooting space for Camille—

Ren Qiqi sped up and blocked the big guy, Cora.

Camille had no time to hesitate in the paint and could only jump and shoot immediately.

Sun Meng and Camille jumped almost simultaneously.

The heights they reached after takeoff were also remarkably consistent.

Just as Camille was about to make his move, Sun Meng, in mid-air, straightened her body again with her powerful core strength, and jumped higher than Camille in an instant.

"boom--"

Camille's basketball shot was blocked solidly by Sun Meng before he could even release it.

In one-on-one situations at the small forward position, blocking shots is a huge morale booster.

"Wow--!"

Suddenly, cheers and shouts of encouragement erupted from the Chinese team's fans in the stands.

Sun Meng blocked the basketball, which flew towards the three-point line. Lu Yu took a step, jumped, and caught the ball.

Lu Yu received the ball and immediately accelerated towards the opposite half of the field.

In the two seconds it took to dribble the basketball and accelerate, Lu Yu could almost hear the sound of Sun Meng landing after blocking the shot, the footsteps of Lucy chasing after him, the cheers in the Belsey Arena, the sound of the wind whistling past his ears, and the turmoil in his heart. All the sounds seemed so close.

This thrilling speed contest ended the moment Lu Yu suddenly stopped and threw the ball.

The instant Lu Yu stopped, Lucy's figure appeared before him. Without a second thought, Lu Yu stretched out his arm, lightly cradling the basketball with his left hand, and pushed it with his right—the basketball flew out.

"Thump—"

Mid-range shot made!

The cheers of the Chinese team's fans in the stands were deafening and prolonged.

China's fast breaks gradually became effective, and the score gradually narrowed.

At the end of the second quarter, the score between China and France was 39-41, with China trailing by only two points.

Commentator Liu Du exclaimed repeatedly, "Now it's only two points behind! Our Chinese women's basketball team can beat France's fast break with theirs!"

Meng Xiaotong blushed with nervousness and said, "Chu Feiyu did a very good job guarding Lusica. She kept trying to steal the ball from Lusica. Although she didn't succeed in stealing the ball directly, it put a lot of psychological pressure on Lusica's offensive organization. Ren Qiqi's footwork under the basket also became faster."

"Yes, so the main defensive pressure is on Chu Feiyu. I have to say, this young player is really daring. Anyone would feel pressure facing a seasoned veteran like Lucyca, afraid of being outmaneuvered or outmaneuvered by her ball control skills. But I saw that Chu Feiyu did not back down at all. No matter who she was facing, she would try to intercept the ball. Even if she was outmaneuvered, she would not get angry and would immediately chase and defend. Her close marking was excellent."

Feng Xu praised Chu Feiyu's performance and offered a tactical analysis: "Coach Zeng switched the defense between Lu Yu and Chu Feiyu to free up Lu Yu. Lu Yu has a high three-point and mid-range shooting percentage and can directly serve as a scoring point."

"Yes, Coach Zeng is a very insightful coach with a very accurate judgment of the situation on the court. This adjustment is indeed very experienced," Liu Du echoed. "Now the problem is in the hands of the French team. Let's see how the French team will deal with the fast break led by Lu Yu in the second half."