Jean-Aimé Toupane (coach of the French women’s team, after the draw for the 2024 Olympics): “We are happy to have a clear idea of our opponents. The important thing is to see that each match will be a challenge. We know that the 12 teams are strong. It won’t be easy. They are athletic teams, it will be very important beyond basketball, it is very homogeneous. Avoiding Team USA, a relief? Yes, but above all, we have clear ideas. We have ambition. Each match will be a final. The unplayable Americans? Team USA remains the number one team in the world, but we’ll want to beat them if we play them. They remain the best. (…) At this level, the 12 teams are very strong. We would have had the same approach and the same serenity with other teams. There are teams who have already beaten us in the past. It’s a new competition. You will have to prepare it as best as possible.
Excitement after the draw? No, not yet, but a direction with the first opponents. The excitement, as soon as we have obtained the organization of the Olympics, we all want to perform at our best and it is our work which will allow us to arrive calmly and to do the maximum to be competitive. Marine Fauthoux’s injury? I follow her regularly. His situation is worrying but today, we still have time. She chose to have surgery to have a chance of making it. She’s an important player, I hope she’ll be there. A possible last minute surprise in the group of 12? Unless there is an injury, the group will revolve around the extended group. (by videoconference)
