The opportunity is already there. Two years after the painful defeat in the final of the Olympic Games, lost by a small point for a foot on the line of Gabby Williams, the French team offers itself the opportunity to take revenge on the United States. And it will be nothing less than in the World Cup final, Sunday September 13 (8 p.m.), in Berlin. The first in history for Les Bleues, at the end of a particularly convincing journey.
Whether in the group stage against Hungary, South Korea and Nigeria (+42 average difference) or in the elimination phase against China and Germany (+21.5), Jean-Aimé Toupane's players enforced their Olympic status and played out a particularly complete score until the final step. "They play at a very impressive level, with very few weaknesses. They are very skillful at three points, it's a team that is capable of defending hard, they play fast, they can play outside-in", analyzes former player Edwige Lawson-Wade, three international medals with Les Bleues between 1999 and 2012, for franceinfo: sport.
With nine of the twelve players from the 2026 World Cup already present in Paris in 2024, the French team board has retained its backbone, with a Gabby Williams-Marine Johannès duo still as essential, respectively 18.4 (3rd in the tournament) and 15.8 (10th in the tournament) points per match. But by adding the overflowing talent of Pauline Astier or Leïla Lacan, capable of shaking up a match, Jean-Aimé Toupane creates more danger, particularly on the outside. “Carla Leite and Leila Lacan can be X factors. Marine Johannès, who comes from the bench from time to time, too. Janelle Saläun can ignite the match. We have at least 3, 4 X factors,” continues Edwige Lawson-Wade.
Above all, with a generally very young collective at Paris 2024, the French team has evolved, matured and further increased affinities, also built in the pain of this Olympic coronation. "I've never been part of such a close-knit team. It's truly an honor to be the captain of this team. I really believe in my teammates. It's in this sense that I already said that I see that our culture is changing. I see the difference, especially thanks to the new generation that is arriving. They are not just here to be part of the team, they are here to make history", praised the new captain Gabby Williams after the quarters.
Use all WNBA experience against the Americans
In the game, too, the Blues have evolved, individually and collectively, and the technical level displayed at this World Cup is remarkable. "They have evolved on the three-point skill, they have gained even more confidence. There are players who have matured, who were young at the Olympics and who finally, two years later, have proven more things on the international scene, in the Euroleague or in the WNBA", recalls Edwige Lawson-Wade, while eight of the twelve players present now play in the WNBA, and have a major role there.
This accelerated export to Uncle Sam will be an essential asset when facing a team that has been Olympic champion continuously since 1996 and which has only let two world titles escape since 1986. The adaptation to the sometimes less structured but more physical game of the American league is already established within the Blue, and the surprise will be even less on Sunday. "They are less afraid of it, they are used to playing at this speed because when we play in the American League, all decisions have to be much faster. And we have to make the right decision otherwise it is paid cash. And this basketball, this speed with this physical level, the girls know it. It no longer disturbs them", confirms Lawson-Wade.
American women don't scare or impress them. They are not there wanting to ask for a signature on the jersey. There is no longer that effect at all. He's completely gone.
Edwige Lawson-Wade, 210 caps for the French team
at franceinfo: sport
Proof that the difference in level between France and the United States has continued to narrow in recent years, the Blues have in this World Cup the best average points per match (96.2), the best shooting percentage (51.6%), three-pointers (44.2%) and the most interceptions (13.2). Key data, even if the Tricolores struggle more with rebounds and counterattacks. As such, the contribution in the racket of Dominique Malonga in the absence of the superstar A'ja Wilson opposite will be to be exploited. “We have never been in this position, so we will have to look for things that we are not necessarily used to bringing out within ourselves. Each of us and collectively,” warned the person concerned before the half.
The spirit of revenge is there, but it does not irrigate the French women any more than it should, who seem focused on the objective of the title. And this, regardless of the opponent, is evidenced by the contained joy after the victories in the quarter and semi-finals. "Yes, it can give you energy. Afterwards, we're not going to go there with a spirit of revenge either. The group is different, it's a new competition. We've all evolved and changed since the Games. The goal will be to do as we've been doing from the start," said Leïla Lacan on Saturday after qualifying for the final. Do as it has from the beginning to offer Americans that they can look straight in the eye, and win a first world title in their first final.
