Basketball: "I'm disappointed but it's behind me," says Marine Johannès after her debut in New York

Marine Johannès does not show it too much but she has a lot on the potato. She has resumed for a week the American championship with the New York Liberty while she would have liked to be with the France team preparing for the Euro. She found herself caught between two rules that were obviously impossible to reconcile: that of the WNBA, which required her presence for the start of the American championship, and that of the France team, which did the same for the preparation for the Euro (June 15 to 25). We tried to find out a little more from the main interested after her loss to Chicago, Sunday night in the Big Apple (82-86). The French back (28), who scored 11 points, did not want to spill on the subject, probably aware that one word too many could deprive her of a future in blue while the Olympics will take place next year. But she agreed to talk a little about herself.

Are you disappointed not to be able to participate in the Euro with the France team?

Yes I am disappointed but it is now behind me. I don't want to think about it or talk about it again. I'm glad to be here. It's always a dream for me to be in this league, alongside players like that and in such a strong team. I'm incredibly lucky.

Is that why you chose to join the WNBA?

But I didn't make a choice! I'm here and I'm happy. I don't really want to go into details.

MJ goin backkkk to back😮 💨🪣 @MarineJ5 pic.twitter.com/ZHzBCU2JLD

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 4, 2023

What you mean? That it is not your responsibility and that, in your opinion, coming here and then going back to play the Euro seemed possible to you?

Again, I don't really want to dwell on it. I am very happy to be back here. (Editor's note: Earlier yesterday, she had said in a text communicated to RMC that she was "deprived of the team of France" and that she was "convinced that a solution could have been found and that it was possible to do both").

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You have received many expressions of support, from Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum in particular...

They made me very happy. All these expressions of support have allowed me to stay positive, to comfort myself in my choice to pursue my dream of playing here.

"Of course, I'm going to watch the Euros! I will follow them and be behind them."

Do you think this situation can penalize you for the rest of your career in blue?

I don't know, we'll see. I'll do my season here and we'll see later for the rest.

Are you going to watch the Euro?

Of course, I'll watch! I will follow them and be behind them. They are my friends.

How do you feel after having followed almost directly with the American championship?

I've been doing this for a few years. This time, I was still able to cut a week, where I rested well. I did nothing for six days. I needed it and I don't think this short period will make me lose the rhythm. You just have to get back into it but I feel good, I'm happy.

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How did you experience your first two meetings with the NY Liberty?

The last game was tough. I'm tired, I'm not going to lie, but I just want to help the team. In the second game, I felt better. It was not easy to go to Seattle directly (Editor's note: last Monday, when he arrived, his team was there). There is a lot of jet lag, 9 hours difference compared to the France. But it's better now. I ran a little, I did a little weight training too.

Was it difficult to find your bearings?

No, not really. I certainly have to learn to play with the girls again, because there are many new players. As the coach told us in the dressing room, we all have to help each other to form a group. But I'm very happy to be back in New York. I'm just trying to make myself useful to the team.