RODEZ (2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – France let out a big sigh of relief on Sunday after edging out Russie 56-53 for their first win at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

After a day off on Monday, point guard Olivia Epoupa will look to build on that result against surprising Japan on Tuesday night.

The 16-year-old Paris native will look to make the most of her speed and aggressiveness to help France go as deep in the tournament as possible.

FIBA.com sat down with Epoupa to talk about France’s performance so far in the tournament, how she got started in basketball and who she idolises.

FIBA: What are your thoughts on this World Championship?
Epoupa: I think that the level of competition is really high. There’s less margin for error than in the U16 European Championship. Our team hasn’t really changed much from that one, other than Lola De Angelis replacing Sabrine Bouzenna. Last year we beat Russia 57-41 and this time it was only three points. Additionally, we’re playing at home with the crowd as our sixth man.

FIBA: How do you evaluate the team’s progression?
Epoupa: We played very well in the friendly tournament in Rodez to finish off our preparations. Then we played the USA and played very well in the first half but we couldn’t match their physicality in the second half. Against Turkey, it was always going to be hard but we made too many mistakes to even have a hope of winning and our win over Russia did us a lot of good even though it was a complicated game.

FIBA: Can your height (165cms) be considered a handicap?
Epoupa: I have always been among the smallest so I’m used to it. But it’s never been a problem. I can compensate for my lack in height by relying on other qualities.

FIBA: How did you get your start in basketball?
Epoupa: I was part of the ‘atelier bleu’, a place where you could try your hand at various sports. I was there to do rollerblading and basketball. I liked basketball and I joined a club, the Paris Basket XVIII, and we’ve been French champions in our age category since 2006. Ever since, I’ve wanted to make basketball my living.

FIBA: Who are your idols?
Epoupa: Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Lauren Jackson, Sandrine Gruda…she came to see us at the national training academy and she told us about her journey, her experiences. She’s a very hard worker. It’s impressive to see that the season is over and she came to the national sports institute with her personal coaches to train hard in her time off.

FIBA: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Epoupa: I like dancing, listening to different types of music like zouk, hip-hop, R&B, American rap and spending time with my friends.

FIBA/LOC