It will thus be necessary to wait for a more consistent opposition than the 26th nation in the world, particularly limited in the interior sector and in terms of depth of bench, to learn lessons on the state of health of the Blue ones on the road to Australia and progress of coach Jean-Aimé Toupane's work.

Especially since Toupane, appointed in October to replace Valérie Garnier for the 2024 Olympics, cannot count on several executives playing in the WNBA: Marine Johannès, Gabby Williams and Iliana Rupert, who will join the group once their season in the States States completed, and Sandrine Gruda.

The interior and captain of the Bleues, who is nursing a knee injury, is hoped for the next training camp in Pau, from August 26.

But at least they started their campaign with a big win after leaving on a sad note in February, with a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign despite the ticket in their pocket.

Sunday's success, however, was more convincing in the first period (52-24 at halftime) than after the break, where the collective was a little frayed, less precise in attack and aggressive in defense.

Especially in the last quarter, lost (15-13).

"It's the end of a fairly long first block of preparation, so we felt a little tired at the end. There are mistakes but a victory is always satisfying," the pivot told beIN Sports at the microphone. Helena Ciak.

"Not an Excuse"

Jean-Aimé Toupane was a little more severe, believing that it was necessary to have "this (defensive) requirement at all times" and that fatigue was "not however an excuse for these imperfections".

He will meet up with his players from August 26 in Pau for another training camp punctuated by a match against Belgium on September 2.

The French will then face the same opponent on home soil two days later before leaving on the 9th for Australia, where three preparation matches are scheduled.

In the absence of a constant defensive intensity, the coach will undoubtedly have been able to appreciate some interesting outside-inside combinations despite the weak opposition.

In the individuality department, note the good performance of Marine Fauthoux in the lead (15 pts, top scorer, and 6 assists) and the first interesting selection in the same position of Marie Pardon (21 years old, 8 assists).

Inside, Marième Badiane (10 pts, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) and Alexia Chartereau (12 pts, 10 rebounds) were particularly prominent.

To be confirmed in the face of more serious opposition.

© 2022 AFP