Spain vs France EuroBasket Prep Games: Where to Watch and Game Preview

• → Game to take place at Palau Olímpic (Olimpic Arena), Badalona on Thursday, August 14 at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST)
• → Spain continue their EuroBasket preparations at home, with Santi Aldama and Alberto Díaz sidelined
• → France, 2–0 in tune-ups under new coach Frédéric Fauthoux, look to keep momentum rolling

A Classic in Catalonia

Spain and France meet in Badalona for a fixture that rarely needs selling. For Spain, this is about sharpening lineups and resetting after a rocky opening week: a shock defeat to Portugal followed by a composed response against Czechia. It’s also a night heavy with context - back in Catalonia for the first time in over a decade and deep into the final weeks of Sergio Scariolo’s tenure. The atmosphere should be lively, and the margin for sloppiness slim as La Familia heat up for FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

France arrive with clarity and confidence. They’ve changed eras - new voice on the sideline, a younger core, and a defensive template built on size and mobility. Two wins from two in their warm-ups suggest rhythm is building. Even as headline names sit this window out, the profile is unmistakable: long wings, active bigs, and enough shot-making to punish every late rotation.

Spain: Shaping an Identity Without Aldama

With Aldama and Alberto Díaz out injured, Spain’s picture tonight leans on the Hernangómez brothers, perimeter creation from Darío Brizuela, and the two-way engine of Xabi López-Arostegui and Joel Parra. The Málaga split told the story: lapses and late-game execution issues in the Portugal loss, then better defensive connectivity and cleaner spacing in the win over Czechia. Look for Scariolo to stress early paint touches, quick second-side actions, and a lower turnover diet.

There’s also an eye on the future - minutes for young guards like Sergio de Larrea and Mario Saint-Supéry have injected pace and aggression. The ask tonight is simple: keep the ball in front, control the glass, and make France defend for full possessions.

France: New Boss, Same Edge

Fauthoux’s group has opened with back-to-back wins (Montenegro, Great Britain) and the blueprint is clear: disciplined half-court defense, heavy use of length on the wings, and a frontcourt that runs and contests. Guerschon Yabusele and Vincent Poirier give reliability at both ends, while the headline intrigue sits with the next wave: Alex Sarr’s activity and Zaccharie Risacher’s off-ball scoring windows fit the staff’s emphasis on pace without chaos. The guards - Élie Okobo, Théo Maledon, among others - have managed tempo and contact well. If France own defensive rebounds and keep Spain out of rhythm early in the clock, they’ll tilt this into their kind of game.

How to Watch Spain vs France – EuroBasket Prep Games

Catch Spain vs France live and on-demand via Courtside 1891. Unlock the stream with a Max Day Pass or Max Annual Pass—your all-access route to international basketball, including summer friendlies and EuroBasket action. Availability can vary by territory—please check coverage in your region.