He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
So Maxime Roos relishes and constantly wears his unfailing smile.
"I'm very happy to be there, very excited too," he savored.
Called up as a simple "training partner" by coach Vincent Collet in February 2019 for two games without a stake for the World Cup in the same year in China, the slender and elegant winger (2.02 m) from Boulogne-Levallois will have had to wait two years exactly to find the blue jersey.
And this time in the shoes of a holder.
Performing since the start of the season with his club, the native of Clamart was summoned among the 12 Blues to participate in two last qualifying matches for EuroBasket 2022 in Podgorica, Montenegro, on Saturday against the local team and then on Monday against the Britain.
“Maxime is a greyhound, assures Vincent Collet who was unable to select him during the November window for an administrative question.
The interiors of Montenegro sometimes lack mobility and speed, it can contribute things with its ballless play, versatility and activity.
"
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The selection being part of his short-term objectives, Maxime Roos secretly awaited the list of the Blues.
"I had a big expectation on this window, I learned it after everyone else, it was Lahaou (
Editor's note: Konaté, his club partner and in the France team
) who taught me this after training, remembers the person concerned.
He returned to the field to congratulate me.
I had not had any exchanges with the coach before the selection so it was a little surprise even if it is a goal.
It's always amazing to learn a first selection.
"
“I'm very happy for him,” Konaté says.
It is in constant progression.
It's a great reward for him.
He's a hard worker, a humble guy.
"
"The dreams we may have had as a child are starting to come true"
Fan of the France team since he was a kid, this pure product of the Ile-de-France region - he played in the Yvelines before arriving at the Levallois training center at the age of 18 - is therefore preparing to move on to the other side of the screen.
“I watched the France team when I was little.
I saw Thomas Heurtel win medals while I was only playing in the third regional division and today I find myself being his teammate, we do passes, alley-oops (
dunk on an aerial pass
) .
It's gratifying, like when I was able to rub shoulders with Boris Diaw with Levallois in his last year.
It's crazy.
"
Covid requires, he did not have to undergo a hazing by going to look for bullets at the top of the stands of the Podgorica hall.
“But I had already taken a lot when I was a training partner,” he laughs.
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This first cape is however not an end for this competitor.
“I know I'm here because the NBA and Euroleague players are missing,” he puts into perspective.
I am aware that they are the first option for the 2021 Olympics but deep down I tell myself that there is the possibility of the 2024 Games in Paris.
I'll try to scratch all I can.
The fact that I'm here allows you to tell yourself that the dreams we may have had as a child are starting to come true.
"