BERLIN (Germany) - Marine Johannes is counting down the days to the start of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 and is excited by the prospect of taking France to a first medal in the competition since the inaugural edition way back in 1953. Importantly, it's less than two years since France showed they have what it takes to step onto a podium at the global level after punching seriously hard and performing brilliantly at Paris 2024 to land silver.
We have great players. We are ready to really try something during this World Cup.
The signs that they can repeat that medal success and simultaneously end their World Cup podium drought are very strong. Johannes has been reflecting positively on their current form and an unbeaten Qualifying Tournament back during March in Lyon-Villeurbanne, which proved to be a great experience ahead of the big show in Berlin. "It was a good moment for us as a team, but also for me going back to Lyon, it was something special," she explained."
"Playing in front of our fans is always something great for us, so I think we were lucky that the Federation helped us by organizing everything there. "So, it was a really good thing." With wins against Philippines, Nigeria and Korea, there is no doubt that bigger tests await France in September in the German capital - and especially if they want to meet their high ambitions.
Johannes is adamant that winning a medal is at the top of the agenda - and, it's something they can dream of in a big way after their exploits at Paris 2024. She said: "It's the goal, but we know that it's never been easy for us during the World Cup. "But I think that we showed during the Olympics and also afterwards some good things. I think we are playing some good basketball now. We have great players. We are ready to really try something during this World Cup." Johannes also made a point of underlining just how important and memorable Paris 2024 was to her and her teammates - both on and off the court.
"For sure it was different than the other Olympics, since I did Rio and then also Tokyo with the Covid and that was a little difficult with no fans or family. "But it [Paris] was special and different, playing in France in front of everyone. We had a lot of people going to the games. I think it is a goal for any basketball player to play not only at the Olympics, but to be in your home country. "We had the chance to live that, so it was something special." One of the other reasons Johannes is excited to be in Berlin is to make up for the painful experience at the last edition in 2022 when she travelled to the other side of the world only to be sidelined at the last minute.
She recalled: "Yes, I got injured just one day before the first game, so it was actually really painful. Especially going to Sydney which is not an easy travel. So I was really disappointed. "But, I hope everything will go well this time and everyone will be healthy and we can all focus as a team." The first part of the mission for Johannes and France will be to finish top of Group B and to move past Hungary, Korea and Nigeria, ensuring they take a direct ticket to the Quarter-Finals.
FIBA