France's Parker ruled out after freak injury
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-19 09:27
SENDAI, Japan, Aug 18 - France have suffered a major blow to their world
basketball championship hopes after NBA All Star Tony Parker was ruled out of
the tournament on Friday with a freak injury.
The San Antonio guard broke a finger on his right hand after catching it on
an opponent's jersey in France's final tune-up game against Brazil on Tuesday.
Parker had been expected to miss the team's opener against Olympic champions
Argentina in Sendai on Saturday, but X-rays revealed the injury was more serious
than feared and he has been ruled out of the tournament, which runs until
September 3.
"Tony wanted to try and play with the injury but I didn't feel it was worth
taking the risk," French coach Claude Bergeaud said.
"He will not be playing in the tournament and will return to San Antonio to
recover from the injury."
Parker was replaced on the French roster by Mamoutou Diarra.
France were expected to be one of the challengers for a gold medal with the
United States, Argentina and Spain.
The French are in Group A alongside Argentina, Lebanon, Nigeria, Venezuela
and defending champions Serbia and Montenegro.
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