Friday marks the beginning of another FIBA 'window' as national teams continue their fight for a place in the 2027 World Basketball Championship. During this period, Kaunas Žalgiris' leader Sylvain Francisco has been recognized officially as the captain of the French national team. His commitment was highlighted by the extensive travel he is required to undertake in order to represent his homeland in this key international competition.

Although the games for Žalgiris concluded around 22:30, 28-year-old Francisco's evening was just beginning. Reports indicate that he left the Žalgiris arena around 1:00 AM for a car ride to Vilnius Airport. This journey is part of a longer itinerary that includes a morning flight to Warsaw's Chopin Airport, followed by a connection to Vienna, Austria, where he would prepare for the next leg of his journey to Sombathely, Hungary, the site of upcoming games for the French national team.

Francisco expressed optimism about the challenges ahead, stating that everything will go well. This situation underscores not only the pressures faced by professional athletes in balancing club and national duties, but also the logistical complexities of modern international competition, where schedules are tightly packed and player dedication is pivotal for national pride and sporting success.