DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Pauline Astier is hoping to help deliver a medal for France at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup having taken inspiration from the senior team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 runners-up secured another spot on the podium at a major tournament with bronze in Tokyo. And Astier has her sights on continuing the national team success on the Under-19 side.

"We want to win a medal," stated Astier on the opening day. "We have worked really hard to be here. It is our job to go out there and prove that we deserve it."

Astier and her teammates took inspiration from watching the senior team on the morning of making their own tournament bow - particularly taking heart from the way the team battled back from a Semi-Final disappointment to earn an Olympic medal for the second time.

The quartet of Sarah Michel, Alix Duchet, Iliana Rupert and Alexia Chartereau - who has signed with ASVEL for next season - are teammates of Astier at Bourges Basket, which made watching on that extra bit special whilst adding fuel to the ambition of making it to Paris 2024.

"More than the medal, what really inspired us the way they didn't stay down after losing against Japan," Astier said. "They kept their heads up and were able to come back and win.

"I am really happy for them, they are more than my teammates, they are my friends and I cannot wait to see them again and give them a big hug.

"For everyone, it is a big dream to play at the Olympics - even more so because the next one will be at home," Astier added. "I'm going to work as hard as I can and then we will see what happens."

The 2002-born guard cites Michel as one of her basketball idols alongside dynamic Belgian duo Julie Allemand and Emma Meesseman and it was playing alongside those high-caliber players in EuroLeague Women action that provided the toughest challenge.

Astier earned the opportunity to play in the elite-level competition with a best of 11 points coming in an opening win against fellow French side Basket Landes, whilst making 20 appearances in the domestic league with 4.5 points per game in 12.7 minutes.

"I improved physically [playing in EuroLeague Women] because it is more difficult to play against seniors and the best players in Europe," Astier said. "Tactically you learn a lot also, so when you come back to your category of age it is easier to play and help your teammates.

"For the moment, I still want to improve physically because I am not the strongest, and I am working a lot on this."

The 19-year-old helped France get off to the perfect start on Saturday with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists in an 84-52 victory over Brazil before her side followed that up by beating Korea 92-35 on Sunday to move to 2-0 in Group C.

Tougher challenges await, starting with a meeting with Spain on Tuesday. Victory would seal top spot and improve seeding in the Round of 16, and Astier knows the aim is to keep improving as the tournament progresses.

"We are always proud to represent our country," she said. "We are happy to be here and have been working hard for a long time. It is always good to start with a win, but now we know what we have to do in practice to get better in our next games."

France were runners-up to USA in the 2013 Final at this event, but that remains their only podium finish in the tournament's history. That is something Astier and her teammates are desperate to change in Debrecen. So far, so good.

FIBA