CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES (EuroCup Women) – Ana Filip will once again be an influential figure for Flammes Carolo Basket in EuroCup Women, but will step out for the new campaign having added a new dimension to her game.

Omitted from the senior French team which played at the Rio Olympics and most recently at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017, the forward was handed an unexpected opportunity to still fly the flag for her country – but in a very different guise.

At 28-years-old, Filip suited up for France at the 3x3 Europe Cup 2017 this past July, having also been part of the qualifying process a month earlier in Poitiers. Now, she has fallen in love with 3x3 - a discipline that could eventually re-ignite her Olympic dream.

"But, knowing that the road was blocked for me in the France national team [for EuroBasket Women], I solicited the 3x3 staff to let them know my willingness to join the group.

"Soon I received a favorable response and it was the beginning of a great adventure."

She continued, "I just wanted to see something else, make a stroke on a complicated season and experience a new discipline. Sometimes it's important to get out of the comfort zone and into an environment that can bring a wind of freshness – something which 3x3 did for me.

"It's really different from the traditional game. It was a very nice discovery, since it's an intense discipline, the atmosphere is really great and the game and the contacts much rougher.

"This allowed me to progress physically and to keep my form through international competitions wearing the national team jersey.

"While we did not get a medal [in Amsterdam], I think that in the future, France will become a great 3x3 nation.

"From a human perspective, it was also very enriching and I retain only positives of the 3x3 experience," concluded the forward.

Filip will compete with Flammes Carolo Basket in Group F of EuroCup Women against DVTK Miskolc, Rutronik Stars Keltern and PEAC-Pecs.

FIBA