Basketball
Marine Johannes having fun with it as France secure quarter-final spot
BERLIN (Germany) - Les Bleues secured their place in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with a convincing 95-69 victory over Korea, overcoming a fast start from their opponents before taking control of the game.
Korea came out firing, scoring 31 points in the opening quarter, the most France have conceded in a first quarter at the World Cup, while holding the French side to 24. However, France responded in the second quarter, turning the game around and building the foundation for a comfortable win.
Johannes played a starring role in that response, knocking down four of her seven attempts from beyond the arc on her way to 17 points, while also contributing three rebounds and two assists. At half time, she already had 14 points and a three almost from the half-court logo.
But beyond the numbers, Johannes appeared to be enjoying every moment of her return to the World Cup. Her body language, the smiles, the enthusiasm speak volumes about her mindset.
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A“I am more mature now and I think it is showing when I am on the court,” she said.
“It has been many years and actually, after missing last time [in the World Cup] when I got injured the day before in Sydney, I was a little nervous before this tournament.
“But I am just always trying to give my best every time that I play. It is always something special with the national team.”
Following a steal and pass that sent Dominique Malonga running in transition, Johannes and the French bench immediately began motioning for their young teammate to finish with a dunk, a moment that has been highly anticipated throughout the World Cup.
Malonga ultimately couldn’t convert the highlight, but the reaction from Johannes and her teammates captured the energy surrounding the French team.
That joy followed Johannes off the court, too.
She was named the TCL Player of the Game for her performance, and as she received the award, the Les Bleues supporters inside the arena erupted into chants of “MVP!” for the French guard.
For Johannes, it was another night where the basketball, the atmosphere and the personality of the French team all came together, with France now one step closer to their ultimate goal.
FIBA
