Like the Three Musketeers, they are four to defend the colors of the French basketball team 3 x 3. For the great debut of their discipline at the Olympic Games, Ana Filip, Migna Touré, Laetitia Guapo and Marie-Eve Paget won this Tuesday their invitation for the last square. A performance in view of their mixed start to the competition. But almost an imperative given the profile of this quartet which alone trusts the top 5 places in the FIBA ranking. As if to regain confidence and canes before the money-time, they snatched their qualification (14-16) against Japan, the host country, who had beaten them two days earlier in the pool (15-19). A good omen before challenging the United States this Wednesday morning (10 am in France) for, again, a tasty reunion.Four days after their inaugural setback (10-17) against the Americans under the eyes of President Macron, the 3 x 3 Musketeers have the opportunity to set the record straight. And to prove to them that the Fantastic Four don't come from across the Atlantic. The proof in portraits.
Ana Filip, Flame Captain
Born in Bucharest of an international Romanian mother, Ana Filip is, according to her partners, "a bit of the mother" of the Blue.
At 32 years old and at the height of his 1.94 m, the pivot of Montpellier is also the one who shows the way and keeps the flame in the France team.
After taking part in the preparations for the London and Rio Olympics in the 5 x 5 selection, it was therefore with the 3 x 3 team that she took her first Olympic steps and set in motion her dream of coronation.
"But don't count on me to sell the skin of the bear until you kill it," she warns.
Me, I like that we work step by step.
What we are doing so far is good.
But it is important not to see yourself too beautiful.
"
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Laetitia Guapo, wonder woman
Her exceptional physique, which combines endurance and speed, have elevated 25-year-old Laetitia Guapo to world No. 1 in the discipline. " My strength ? When others get tired, I still have a lung that allows me to compete, ”she says without enlarging the line. The rear of Bourges (5 x 5) was thus able in 2019 to complete a road race of 9.3 km in 35 minutes and 41 seconds. That is to say an average of 15, 64 km / h which would allow it to integrate the top 50 of the best French women over 10 km. “My father played soccer, my mother played basketball and, at 75, my grandparents still cycle 100 km three times a week. It is from them that I must take all my qualities, ”she laughs. For her first Games, the one who was the heroine of an Amazon mini-series on qualifying for the Games has only one goal: "the most beautiful of medals.""
Migna Touré, the tornado
Number 2 in the FIBA ranking behind Guapo, Migna Touré is number 1 when it comes to the best dribblers on the planet.
Finalist of the French Championship in 5-a-side basketball with Montpellier, Mamignan, her real first name, is also double European champion (2018, 2019) and world bronze medalist in 3 x 3. For her first Games, she does not hide herself. “Feeling on a mission” “The Games are the Holy Grail for an athlete,” she said.
We want to mark the history of the discipline.
We go there with a lot of humility but also a lot of ambition.
We have a very good team, we will have to assume this status because they will be a lot of people wanting to step on us.
"
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Marie-Eve Paget, mischief
What if 2021 was his year? Crowned champion of France with Basket Landes, a few weeks ago, “MEP” does not intend to miss the opportunity to double down by winning her first Olympic medal. Emblematic 3 x 3 player, university world champion in 2014 in Brazil, double European champion and double bronze medalist at the World Cup, the Savoyard born in Annecy is not satisfied. “This season, I had a title, I would like to have another, smiles the leader of 26 years. We will work in function, we do not want to have made the trip for nothing. »She who admits to being altruistic and having a tendency to step aside in favor of others in 5 x 5, has not hesitated to take up her responsibilities, as she does so well when she reveals her other face in 3 x 3. " From now on,we have three out of four chances of being a medalist, she said. Now is the time to write our story. »And to tell a happy ending.