The way you achieved this qualification was important for the French team to break free? Jean-Aimé Toupane: It’s a reassuring match and at the same time, it can be a trap. That’s what we did today (Thursday), but we’re already thinking about the match in two days (Saturday against Belgium, editor’s note). What the girls showed today is that we can do it. They are also aware that the adversary will not be the same. In all humility, we will continue to work and prepare for this match against Belgium. I’m very happy with what we did because it strengthens our confidence, the things we’ve been trying to put in place for a month and a half. I’m neither too high nor too low, I try to have a balance, it’s important for us to move forward.
Would you say that you and Belgium are the favorites in the competition? When it comes to the last four, everyone can beat everyone. And there is a given that I take into account, it is the freshness of the girls. We saw the Serbs today (93-53 defeat against Belgium, editor’s note), they did not become zero overnight. There is a factor which is fatigue. It can happen to anyone. This Belgian team is a very good team, but so are we. We will try to do the best, we know what we want, on the other side too. The best will win, we will sell our skin dearly. We have two matches left, the one that arrives there, it will give us a chance to get the best medal. These matches will be played on details.
What does an eighth consecutive semi-final for France in a Euro inspire you? It’s exceptional. Alongside the national teams, there is a program that has been in place by the Federation for quite a few years. French training works equally well with boys and girls. We see the result, it does not date from yesterday. There are players who are not there for different reasons, we still have a team that shows great things. It shows that the work put in place is bearing fruit.
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