MONDEVILLE (2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - France have made their final cut before hosting the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournamennt (WOQT) in Nantes with shooting guard Paoline Salagnac deemed surplus to requirements.

Coach Valerie Garnier has named her 12 players and included the likes of promising young guard Marine Johannes, who shone in Thursday night's 58-50 friendly win over Australia.

In addition to Johannes, Laetitia Kamba and Valeriane Ayayi are set to make their first appearances for France's senior team in a major tournament.

The inclusion of Johannes will come as no surprise because she played well in three FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifiers this year.

Garnier has numerous veterans, including 2012 Olympians Celine Dumerc, Endy Miyem, Sandrine Gruda and Isabelle Yacoubou. All four played for the French team that reached the Final at last year's EuroBasket Women.

The incorporation of Johannes is an exciting one. The 21-year-old thrilled the fans in Mondeville, where she plays professionally, in the game against Australia.

She finished with 12 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in more than 24 minutes on the court.

"It was really a good game," Johannes said. "We were more aggressive compared to the first two games."

Canada had beaten France 66-52 on Tuesday but Garnier's squad rebounded with a 56-43 triumph over China on Wednesday.

"We knew it was going to be hard, and we responded in this fight," Johannes said.

France will next go up against Cuba and New Zealand in Group A of the WOQT on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. If they finish in the top two, France will advance to a Quarter-Finals and take on a Group B side - Turkey, Cameroon or Argentina - for the right to play at the Olympics. A loss would leave France needing to win two more games to advance to Rio.

FIBA