Marine Johannès does not show it too much but she has a lot on the potato. She took over the American championship a week ago with the New York Liberty when she would have liked to be with the French team preparing for the Euro. She found herself stuck between two regulations visibly impossible to reconcile: that of the WNBA, which required her presence for the start of the American championship, and that of the France team, which did the same for the preparation for the Euro (June 15 to 25). We tried to find out a little more from the main interested party after her defeat against Chicago on Sunday evening in the Big Apple (82-86). The French rear (28), who scored 11 points, did not want to expand on the subject, no doubt aware that one word too many could deprive her of a future in blue when the Olympics will have place next year. But she nevertheless agreed to talk a little about herself.
Are you disappointed not to be able to participate in the Euro with the France team?
Yes I am disappointed but it is now behind me. I don’t want to think about it or talk about it again. I am happy to be here. It’s always a dream for me to be in this league, alongside players like that and in such a strong team. I’m incredibly lucky.
Is that why you chose to join the WNBA?
But I made no choice! I am here and I am happy. I don’t really want to go into details.
What do you mean ? That it is not your responsibility and that, in your opinion, coming here and then leaving to compete in the Euro seemed possible to you?
Again, I don’t really want to dwell on the subject. I am very happy to be back here. (Editor’s note: Earlier in the day yesterday, she had declared in a text communicated to RMC that she was “deprived of the France team” and that she was “convinced that a solution could have been found and that it was possible to do both”).
You have received many tokens of support, Tony Parker et Nicolas Batum notably…
They made me very happy. All these signs of support allowed me to stay positive, to confirm my choice to pursue my dream of playing here.
“Of course, I will watch the Euro! I will follow them and be behind them”
Do you think this situation can penalize you for the rest of your career in blue?
I don’t know, we’ll see. I’m going to do my season here and we’ll see later for the rest.
Are you going to watch the Euro?
Of course, I will watch! I will follow them and be behind them. They are my friends.
How do you feel after having chained almost directly with the American championship?
I’ve been doing it this way for a few years. This time, I was still able to cut off a week, where I rested well. I did nothing for six days. I needed it and I don’t think this short period will make me lose the rhythm. You just have to get back into it but I feel good, I’m happy.
How did you experience your first two meetings with NY Liberty?
The last match was difficult. I’m tired, I’m not going to lie, but I just want to help the team. During the second game, I felt better. It was especially not easy to go to Seattle directly (Editor’s note: last Monday, when he arrived, his team was traveling there). There is a huge time difference, 9 hours difference from France. But it’s better now. I ran a bit, I did a bit of bodybuilding too.
Was it difficult to find your bearings?
Not really. I certainly have to learn to play with the girls again, because there are many new players. As the coach told us in the locker room, we all have to help each other to form a group. But I’m very happy to be back in New York. I’m just trying to make myself useful to the team.
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