France Women's Basketball Team Prepares for EuroBasket 2025 as Favorites Despite Key Absences
The French women's basketball team remains optimistic heading into EuroBasket 2025 despite missing key players.
Key Points
- • France is a favorite for EuroBasket 2025 despite missing key WNBA players.
- • The team has not won a title since 2009 and aims to end that drought.
- • Marine Fauthoux is sidelined due to injury, alongside absent teammates.
- • The opening match is against Turkey on June 18, 2025.
The French women's basketball team is gearing up for EuroBasket 2025, beginning June 18 in Greece, entering the competition as a favored team despite significant absences. The squad will miss key players including Gabby Williams and Marine Johannès, who are committed to the WNBA, alongside Dominique Malonga and Carla Leite due to scheduling conflicts. Additionally, Marine Fauthoux is injured, having sustained a knee injury in a preparatory match earlier this month against Belgium.
The head coach, Jean-Aimé Toupane, leads a team that has not claimed a title since 2009 but features six silver medalists from the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympics, including Romane Bernies and Leïla Lacan. The team has shown promising form in the lead-up to the tournament with victories over Turkey and the reigning champions Belgium, although they faced a close loss to Belgium in a later matchup. The first challenge for France will be against Turkey on June 18, followed by games against Greece and Switzerland in the group stage.
Despite being aware of the potential difficulties posed by strong competitors like Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Serbia, player Marième Badiane remains optimistic. She stated, "We have the capacity, and it would be a disappointment for everyone if we didn't succeed," emphasizing the intact principles and play style of the team as they strive for continental success once more.