Siraba Dembélé / Cléopatre Darleux: "We are trying to learn from the past"

How do you live in this health bubble?

Are you worried about finding the long time locked in your hotel?

We were prepared for these conditions so for now, it's okay, we're living it well.

We haven't been here for long, we are not yet in the euphoria of matches.

We are nevertheless trying to put things in place to avoid falling into the painfulness of these conditions.

We also set up small games, we make videos… We try to bring life, quite simply.

Cléopâtre Darleux:

On top of that, our group is living very well, which is important in these conditions.

This situation is not a concern for us.

And usually in big competitions we don't have a lot of time to go out and sightseeing either.

So it doesn't change us that much.

We have a small balcony of one meter by two, it's nice to take in the air (smiles).

Siraba Dembélé:

Do you have a balcony?

Cleopatra Darleux:

Yes, on the side (laughs).

What is the key to maintaining morale in these conditions?

I believe that the key will depend on how we are going to manage to keep this group alive.

If we go to the matches and then go back to our rooms, and do the same after training, of course that will be more difficult morally.

Now, if we can instill joy, it won't be the same.

We have a fairly young team, with a good mix of generations and I have the feeling that despite the age difference between some, we manage to come together around the same areas of interest.

That's what will keep our morale up.

And then you know, we're happy to be able to compete in such a competition after being forced out of play for a while.

And this happiness, it is there, even locked in a hotel.

Cléopatre Darleux

 : You have to be enthusiastic.

If there is training that is not compulsory, you will probably have to force yourself to go out a bit, go there to get some fresh air and bring this group to life.

You have to use the time you have wisely and above all stay positive.

"If we had a magic recipe, believe me, we would start every competition well."

Siraba Dembele

In the past, the France team has often suffered, and even lost, for its entry into a great competition.

How do we ensure that against Montenegro, this Friday (6.15 p.m.), everything goes very well?

If we had a magic recipe, believe me, we would start each competition well (laughs).

We try to learn from the past, without focusing too much on it.

I think the best thing is that each one prepares well individually to respond present from the first game.

It is really on the concentration and the commitment that we will put that this will play out.

Cléopâtre Darleux:

It's true that it's a bit of a characteristic of the France team, but we want that to change.

We played Montenegro not long ago, and we won (29-13).

But since then they have changed coaches and I have seen lots of articles where you could tell they were angry for this first match.

But we will also be ready and we will give our all.

There is no particular anxiety before this first match.

You were both absent during the failed World Championship in Japan a year ago (13th place).

Do you feel a particular responsibility to give dynamism to this French team during this Euro?

Moms in force (laughs).

I think for Siraba it's different because she's the team captain.

She has another role than me and I believe that she has a real added value on this aspect, to revitalize the group.

Afterwards, it is certain that not having experienced this "failure", it can allow us to bring back pep, positive energy.

Siraba Dembélé:

Not having experienced this competition gives us a special position, for sure.

We must bring our enthusiasm, our desire because it has been over a year since we have experienced a competition with the France team.

This can be an added value.

Me, I am very happy to find the girls, the staff and to be able to experience a great event like that. 

"Since my return from pregnancy, I have really worked hard to come back physically"

Cleopatre Darleux

How do you see the two other opponents of the 1st round, Slovenia and Denmark?

Denmark will already play at home, so for them there will be very strong motivation and enthusiasm.

It remains a very good team, quite revamped and young.

As for Slovenia, they will field their best team for three to four years, with girls who come back strong.

Cléopâtre Darleux:

Besides, I don't remember when Denmark's last medal was, but for this country used to the podiums, I think it goes back a little and necessarily, at home, they really want to achieve a result?

especially since some of their players are reaching the end of their careers and they will not want to miss such an opportunity.

And I share Siraba's opinion on Slovenia, which has just been reinforced with two naturalized people.

It is a team that is gaining strength and against which we have often had difficulties.

It will be two matches of great intensity.    

Cleopatra, how do you live this role of double Amandine Leynaud?

Already, I am very happy to be selected in the 16, to be with Amandine.

For me, since my return from pregnancy, I have really worked hard to come back physically and it is true that on the last stage of the Golden League in October, due to the absences of Amandine and Laura (Glauser), I had a lot of playing time and really enjoyed it.

I hope it will continue like this.

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