Special envoy to Tokyo
To discover
The full Olympic program
The Olympic medal table
Allison, how did you experience this victorious semi-final against Sweden?
Allison Pineau:
Not as surely as the quarter-finals against the Netherlands, that's for sure! (laughs) It's been a long time, it's been hard. I told the girls during a time out and the locker room at the break that the fate of this match was going to be shaped in time and that I had the feeling that we had to be in front, that we had to lead. We posed them problems by varying the different defensive systems, but they also posed us other problems than in the first game. But we held on, with a lot of mind. We stood united, and we believed in it. We are one game away from the best of medals. It's extraordinary to be in the final twice in a row. I can see how far we've come and how privileged it is to be here, once again, with this group. VS'is a lot of emotions.
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You have known many groups in selection. Does this one have something special?
I think all groups are special.
In Rio, we started the story of a bunch of girls and today it's still the same, we are in the right line of that.
Some girls have left, others are unfortunately injured but the strength of this team is to always integrate the news well.
And to transmit this soul that lives in us.
Is there a method for this transmission?
No, it happens naturally I think. There are leaders who are there to surround, supervise and support the group. Really, we are all listening to each other, vigilant so that the group stays on the right path. We must give confidence to young people, that they feel that the house is not resting on their shoulders. It is also important. And there it is really a lot of happiness tonight. The only sadness is not being able to live it with the public, but I imagine that we have thrilled people in France.
There is a collective emotion, but also a personal one for you…
Yes, of course.
To tell myself that I'm here once again, after everything I've been through… (Tears rise).
It really is a lot of pride.
Olympic Games: all the French medalists in pictures
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