« We are keen to finish this block well. » After the success among the Hungarians of Miskolc this Wednesday in the Euroleague (56-66), which almost ensures them qualification for the second phase, winger Yohana Ewodo and her partners from Basket Landes want to seek a second success at the consecutive away game against Asvel this Saturday (8 p.m.).
In a team where all the players can score, the former Tarbaise stood out in particular in the Women's League, with three matches (out of four) with ten points or more. On the floor of the Mado-Bonnet room, she wants to finish on a good note before a real break during the international break, she who was used to being called up with the French youth teams or in 3×3.
The match in Hungary against Miskolc was crucial for qualification for the second phase of the Euroleague, you were able to respond…
Yes, exactly. We knew that it was a very important match and that it was going to have an impact on the ranking and the course of events for us. This success puts us in good conditions for the future, we appreciate it very much.
Can we qualify this meeting as a benchmark match?
In any case, for an away match, yes. Because winning away in the Euroleague, we know that it is very complicated, especially in Hungary. We are happy to have achieved this victory, it feels great.
“I am much more comfortable and I feel freer to express myself individually within the team”
Yohana Ewodo and the Landeses won twice against the Hungarians from Miskolc, which almost ensures them qualification for the second phase of the Euroleague.
Philippe Salvat / SO
This qualification for the second phase would be historic for the club. What would that represent?
We would definitely be very happy. It was a goal. When we saw our chicken, we said to ourselves that it was possible and that we were going to do everything we could to make it happen. This victory really sets us up for the future. Afterwards, there are still two games at home, we don't know what can happen so we are focusing on our performances.
Is your team better this season in this competition?
I think we have reached a milestone. Last year, not many of us had already played in the Euroleague. This season, we left with three quarters of last year's squad, so we are stronger. And the girls who joined the group adapted very well to the game plan, so we approached our matches with much more serenity than last year, knowing that we had a chance to play. We are not afraid to face very famous teams.
In the championship, how do you analyze this start to the season, with only one misstep at Charnay (70-72 defeat)?
I think we're off to a pretty solid start to the season. Of course there was that little hiccup away, but an undefeated season is a lot to ask. So it's not dramatic. We quickly caught up behind. We know that these away matches should not be taken lightly. There, we will face a solid team from Lyon. It's true that it doesn't have the same squad as last year, but it showed great things at the start of the season (three victories and one defeat in the LFB, four successes in the Eurocup, Editor's note). We will have to stay focused and avoid making the same mistakes as in Charnay.
You played a lot of away matches this month (three in the Euroleague, two in the Women's League). How to manage all these trips?
It's very intense, it's certain that you accumulate a lot of fatigue. Afterwards, we have a coaching style which ensures that we preserve the integrity of the players. You have to manage between training sequences, where you have to increase intensity, and those of rest. The goal is to succeed in putting yourself in the condition to perform at your best on the field. And when you're not, tire yourself out as little as possible and recover as quickly as possible.
You share the winger position with Myriam Djekoundade, who arrived in the offseason. How does this happen?
With Myriam, we don't really have the same style of play. She has a more defensive profile. We share position 3 well, I think we complement each other quite well. We bring different things. I think our partners have understood this and that they are not looking for the same things depending on who they are with on the floor. We get along very well and manage to adapt on the floor.
You are experiencing your second season in Mont-de-Marsan. How do you feel within this group?
Alright. Last season, things had already gone well, I was able to get my bearings. This year, I am in continuity. I am much more comfortable and I feel freer to express myself individually within the team.
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