They did the job. The day after their show of strength against the Chinese world vice-champions (82-50), the Blues confirmed against the New Zealanders, modest 23rd in the world ranking, stunned 61-17 at half-time. The “Tall Ferns” (Hautes Fougères) were also dominated a little less widely on Thursday by China (94-47).
Once again, Jean-Aimé Toupane’s players stifled their opponents with their activity and physical intensity, demonstrated by 21 interceptions and 40 rebounds. In the absence of accounting interest for the Blues already qualified as host country, these three matches on the other side of the planet will have boosted them after their Euro ended in the semi-final against Belgium (67-63), then without Gabby Williams (concussion) nor Marine Johannès (choice).
The Franco-American winger overwhelmed the New Zealanders with 21 points (scored in 19 minutes), including 13 points in the first quarter. As for “MJ”, the back again scored a volley of shots on one leg for which she has the secret (8 points in 17 minutes, including 2/5 from distance).
At the pivot position, in the absence of Sandrine Gruda (36 years old), in the recovery phase after a thigh injury, the immense Dominique Malonga (1.98 m, 18 years old) scored points on the field ( 13, at 6/10) and undoubtedly a few in the mind of the coach with a view to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Note that the leader of Lyon-Villeurbanne Marine Fauthoux, injured in the back, was “preserved”, was announced the Federation.
