So far, so good. Very well even. After a delicate introduction to Turkey (71-69), the French female basketball team settled the target and raised the tone to go against Greece (92-56) and crushed Switzerland (111-37) during the hen games of the Eurobasket which is held in Greece.
Services that have – logically and as planned – opened the doors for the quarter -finals for blue ones that only target the gold medal. On the road to this title which leaks them since 2011, they face this Tuesday (4.30 p.m.) Lithuania.
An opponent within their reach who finished in second place in his group after being beaten on Saturday evening by Italy (65-51) and that they dominate regularly (19 victories against 5 defeats in 24 confrontations).
“France is one of the favorites for the final victory, but we are preparing for it and we were not a favorite against Slovenia and Serbia (that they beat in the group phase) Neither… ”, smiles, mischievous, Lithuanian coach Vilius Stanisauskas.
Present for the 14th time in a row in the quarterfinals of one euro, the French are therefore favorite to reach, for the 9th time in a row, the last square of this competition. They have not missed this meeting since 2007 and an elimination against Latvia.
At “rest” on Sunday, the players of Jean -Aimé Toupane – for whom “each match is a new adventure” – have found the training room of the great stadium of the friendship – where the quarter will be played – this Monday afternoon.
The Bleues target their ninth semi-final in a row at the Euro
“It was good to disconnect, certainly not completely, but to do something else, after quickly, and even already last night (Sunday) We were focused, ”says Romane Bernies leader.
Although deprived of many usual executives -Marine Johannès and Gabby Williams or Dominique Malonga who have remained in WNBA or Marine Faundhoux on injury -, the Olympic vice -championes have been unrolling since the start of the tournament. They have the best attack (91.3 points scored on average) and the best defense (54 points collected on average).
They can also rely on the wader Janelle Salaün. At 23, Tidjane’s big sister (chosen in 6th position during the NBA Draft in 2024 and player at the Hornets), took a new dimension during this euro. With 20.7 points scored on average, it is the 2nd best scorer in the tournament, behind the Slovenian Jessica Shepard (22.7 points) which is eliminated.
Champion of Italy with Schio in the spring, Salaün had then made a detour to the WNBA and his franchise of the Golden State Valkyries before finding the France group a few days before the start of the Euro. A choice made for a long time with the aim of going to drop gold.
“It is a group with a base I know,” said the interested party after the meeting against Switzerland on Saturday when she offered herself a new personal record (23 points). It’s been several summers that we play together, I know the French game style, I was able to adapt quickly. ”
For its part Lithuania will be able to count on the Ailière just Jocyte, 19 years old (15.7 pts, 5 rebounds, 5.7 assists since the start of the euro), well known to the spectators of the French championship because recruited by ASVEL at only 13 years old.
“It is a well -oiled collective, of course it is a centerpiece, but we know that the danger will come from elsewhere, warns Romane Bernies. We should not make many mistakes, especially in defense. So far the method has worked.
