Seeing Jean-Aimé Toupane replacing his players five by five throughout the match, in the style of Tuomas Iisalo (the Finnish coach of Paris Basketball this season), there was no doubt: the coach of the Bleues transformed this Monday’s second clash in three days against the weak Finland into a laboratory, intended to test numerous associations during an evening without the slightest suspense. “All these changes were difficult to manage, then admitted Marine Johannès (9 points, 5 assists). It’s not easy when you know you only have three or four minutes maximum on the pitch.”
Crushing on Saturday against the “Susiladies” (129-50), the French did not win by the same width this Monday evening at the Vendéspace (117-59), less equipped than during the first meeting. The absence of Dominique Malonga – left to rest and sent to Paris to have a painful right wrist examined – and the return of the great Awak Kuier (1.98 m, 12 points) on the Scandinavian side probably played for a lot, without however leaving the slightest chance to the visitors. They will however have the merit of concluding the first quarter by only suffering ten points of loss (26-16, 10th), letting go in the process (58-25 at the break).
Toupane had set up this revenge as a test of character for his protégées, in order to assess their ability “to reproduce a high intensity against the same opponent”. “I liked this face”he analyzed, even if it must be noted that France displayed some deficiencies, notably in rebounding (9 offensive holds left) and in management (17 lost balls). “The size of the score may have meant that we tried more things, to share the ball, which we will gradually erase, assured Johannes. In this kind of match, we are human: we wanted to have fun. It will calm down.”
The need to move upmarket in the face of adversity has become inevitable. “We can’t wait to compete with something stronger,” agreed Marine Fauthoux (9 points), still satisfied with the state of mind ” steamroller “ set up this week in Vendée. While the Bleues will benefit from a few days of rest, their coach will announce in the next few hours the departure of three players, most likely Pauline Astier, Marie Pardon and Ana Tadic, who did not play in either match. The list of twelve is for the end of the week, where they will have to face Serbia (July 12), qualified for the Games. “We all want to know (who is), admitted Marième Badiane (8 points). This will allow us to come together and gain momentum.” During a preparation “not easy, with few matches” as Toupane reminded us, it is high time.
