They have one foot and four toes at the Euro. The French women’s basketball team has almost assured its qualification for the 2025 edition of the competition thanks to another great success in Latvia (82-51).
Three days after their convincing victory against Israel (94-52) in Caen, for their first meeting since the Paris Games, the Blues once again assumed their status as the scarecrow of Group E, with four successes in as many matches ( 8 points, a success ahead of Latvia and Israel).
If they are not yet mathematically qualified (the first eight and four best second will be), it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine the players of Jean-Aimé Toupane, Olympic vice-champions in Paris, missing the European meeting while another confrontation against Israel (February 9) is looming in February and before that a meeting against Ireland (February 6), beaten… 100-48 in November 2023.
The demonstration of Gabby Williams
Against the Latvians, the Blues showed seriousness, with a match that got off to a flying start when Gabby Williams simply scored 16 of the first 18 points (!) of the French in the first five minutes (18 in total, 7 rebounds, 4 passes).
Also well helped by the contribution of Marieme Badiane and Pauline Astier, they started on the new basis of a demonstration, leading by 14 points at the break (38-24).
If the large score could make us forget it, the Latvians slightly regained confidence at the start of the third quarter, enough to provoke the anger of Toupane during a timeout requested after a winning shot from Anete Steinberga, who finished with 19 points ( six rebounds).
Euro objective
But a festival from Janelle Salaun — ten points in less than a minute, two interceptions — erased the little suspense remaining in a meeting that the teammates of captain Valeriane Ayayi (5 pts, 8 rebounds) finished very calmly .
Pauline Astier (13 points, 3 assists) and Leila Lacan (10 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 interceptions) also contributed to this new French success which brings the Blues a little closer to their next objective.
The undefeated Blues
After Latvia, there will be two matches left for Les Bleues to finish in style a qualifying period where they are still undefeated, who should be the big favorites for a final victory next June.
They will face the Irish on February 6 before finishing with a meeting against Israel on the 9th.
