Les Bleues start their Euro Thursday in Strasbourg, with a match against the Czech Republic.
The objective is simple and admitted for this European championship: the players of the French basketball team only want the title!
No need to discuss with the Blue the Olympic Games in Tokyo at the end of July, competition is taboo during the Euro.
The Olympics… what?
The term is now taboo for the French women's basketball team.
In this summer of 2021, which is to lead the sporting world to Tokyo, the Blues have another competition to manage.
Their European Championship begins this Thursday in Strasbourg, before the possible Final 4 in Valencia, Spain.
Until then, no question of talking about this extraordinary schedule.
All the players repeat it, as if the word had been passed.
“You have to focus on the present moment.
We'll think about the rest afterwards.
we must focus on the first stage, ”insists the leader Alix Duchet, echoing the words of her coach.
For several months now, Valérie Garnier has announced that there will be "two halves" with these two major meetings and that it is "out of the question to choose" one or the other.
"Tired of leaving with an unwanted medal color!"
"
"In May, June 2020, we first had a little moment of concern over the fact of chaining two competitions because we know how to get out of a first," admitted the technician on Monday.
“Then when we saw each other with the players in November, we decided to make it an opportunity.
We can perform in two competitions.
In a total agreement with the girls, we are only focused on the Euro.
"
Where the partners of Endy Miyem do not hide their only ambition: the title.
“Yes, we are in the role of the favorites.
Of course, the objective is to go for the gold, confirms, without false modesty, Alix Duchet.
Everyone is tired of leaving with an unwanted medal color!
“That is to say the money during the last four editions of this European championship after the bronze of 2011. The last coronation dates back to 2009.
Sandrine Gruda was already part of the adventure.
Twelve years later, the interior still lurks under the baskets.
She has even just become the best scorer in the history of the Blue by bringing the record of points registered to 2,578.
And it's not over, especially within a group France which has rarely seemed so strong.
The players of Valérie Garnier thus remain on ... eleven victories in a row since their defeat in the final of Euro 2019 against Spain.
🙌 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐚 writes the 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐞 🇫🇷
She overtakes Isabelle Fijalkowski, holder of the previous record.
And becomes the best scorer of all time 🇫🇷🏀 @ Sandrine_Gruda #GOAT #EDFBasket pic.twitter.com/ypz7aMQw6e
- French Basketball Teams (@FRABasketball) June 6, 2021
“The preparation went well at all levels but this is not the reality of the competition,” tempers the coach, aware that a case of Covid-19 could, for example, upset the balance.
The Spanish selection can testify, she who risks being deprived of Alba Torrens, tested positive for the virus on Saturday.
“We are in a health bubble and we respect the rules.
We have already played all season with this threat, we know what it represents, "relativizes the interior Iliana Rupert without hiding her haste to get to the heart of the matter on Thursday against Croatia.
“The last real competition dates from the TQO [in February 2020] and we just spent a whole season without an audience.
All of this motivates us.
We want to play in front of spectators [limited to 3,600 in Strasbourg], wear the blue jersey and win this title.
"
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So it will be time to think about the Olympics.
With maybe a reshaped band, some maybe playing bigger than others during this Euro.
Like the American-born Gabby Williams, who will compete with the other naturalized French player, Bria Hartley, currently injured.
"This is not a question for me, I am focused on the Euro and we will see then," sweeps the person concerned before Valérie Garnier concludes: "We will learn lessons between the two competitions and we will adapt to states of form.
"
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