2023-06-16 01:48:54
Serious things will start. After a preparation campaign reduced to just three weeks, marked from the outset by the controversy surrounding the non-selection of Marine Johannès, but promising in terms of results – five successes in as many matches with an average gap of 21 points –, the French women’s team starts the EuroBasket this Thursday, June 15 (8:45 p.m., BeIN Sports 1), in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with a duel against Germany.
One year before the Paris Olympics, and after five lost continental finals, Les Bleues have only one goal: to win gold and send a message to their opponents.
Rarely has the launch of a preparation for a women’s Euro been so much talked about with the non-selection of Marine Johannès. Contractually obliged to travel to the United States to sign her contract with the New York Liberty (WNBA) franchise, the 28-year-old player was forced to give up much of the preparation. She therefore put herself out of the game due to the strict rules put in place by the coach several months ago.
“Last year, with two months of preparation, we let her go and play in the WNBA, recalled in May Jean-Aimé Toupane, who arrived at the head of the Bleues in the fall of 2021 to succeed Valérie Garnier. This year, we only have 12 or 13 training sessions to prepare for the Euro. We cannot afford to arrive at the last moment. It is only the decision of Mr. Toupane, I explained it to the players a year ago, six months ago. Playing at the highest level requires automation. We know the player, what she did for the France team but, as a coach, I have goals. »
A decision which had provoked the ire of Tony Parker, boss of Asvel where the player evolves, or Nicolas Batum, close to the person concerned. In vain. Since then, the MVP of the Eurocoupe final (C2) and champion of France with Asvel has started her American summer. France will have to do without one of its best players.
In addition to the absence of Johannès, the Bleues landed in Ljubljana on Tuesday without winger Gabby Williams (victim of a concussion), their best player at the World Cup in Australia last September, and without leader Alix Duchet ( medical reasons). Packages that deprive the group of valuable experience elements in an international competition.
Les Bleues want “something big”
Despite everything, the France team does not take refuge behind these absences and displays its ambitions high. “We want something big, we want to be European champions,” says Toupane. A title that has inexorably leaked to Les Bleues since the coronation of Braqueuses by Céline Dumerc in 2009.
The coach even asserts that not returning from Slovenia with the gold around his neck would be “a failure” and could weaken him. “We only want gold, that’s all that matters,” adds Marine Fauthoux. The mission does not however promise to be easy since, if France already has its ticket in its pocket for the Olympic Games in Paris in a year, five (or 6 according to the classification of the Blue) tickets for the qualifying tournaments for the Olympic Games will be at stake for the other nations.
Gruda-Rupert, it’ll shake in the racket
To achieve their goal, the Bleues will be able to count on interior Sandrine Gruda (35), 219 caps on the clock and best scorer in history with 2,817 points. The only player in the squad to have won a Euro final (in 2009) will provide a valuable point of fixation in the interior sector.
His association with the young Iliana Rupert (21 years old) should make sparks. The five victories in as many games during the preparation – including one against England, which the France team will find on Friday – are an encouraging sign, even if they have to be put into perspective due to adversity.
Born on July 12, 2001, Iliana Rupert was a few weeks old when, in September of the same year, Yannick Souvre and his partners won the first title of European champion in the history of French basketball. Leila Lacan, the blue of the Bleues, 19 years old since June 2, was not yet born.
Since then, France has added another title (2009) before settling for places of honor, 5 finals and 5 defeats since 2011. A black series that Valériane Vukosavljevic’s partners would like to interrupt this year.
“We would like to overcome the bad luck that has been chasing the French team for a while, announces Marième Badiane. It’s a very tough European Championship, you can’t underestimate anyone. Absences will redistribute the cards but I think the girls will be able to take their responsibilities. We have a solid group. »
Last rehearsals before the Games
Thirteen months before the Paris Games, this Euro will also – and above all – serve as a life-size test for the players. Toupane had announced that the absentees, except for injuries, could put themselves “out of the Games”. It’s not as cut and dried. But the fact remains that the services and performances of the Blue will be particularly scrutinized. “This Euro is important to prepare us well, build a group and build our confidence before the Games at home,” said Badiane. “We have a double objective: to prepare for the Games and to win the gold medal,” confirms captain Sarah Michel.
In September 2013, Tony Parker and Boris Diaw lifted the first – and still unique – title of European champion of the Blues in the Stozice Arena in Ljubljana. A flying saucer with green seats so characteristic and which perhaps brings good luck to French basketball. Ten years later, Marine Fauthoux and her partners hope to prove it.
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