A much younger French women’s team in November, WNBA players resting

The French women’s team will enter a new preparation phase in November, with a training camp in Spain and two friendly matches against Italy and Spain. Jean-Aimé Toupane has chosen to give playing time to young French players, letting several key players rest including Gabby Williams, Marine Johannès, Iliana Rupert, Dominique Malonga, Leïla Lacan and Janelle Salaün.

A younger team around an experienced core

Head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane has called up a largely renewed group for this gathering, which will take place from November 10-16 in La Línea de la Concepción (Cadiz province). While Valériane Ayayi, Romane Bernies and Marième Badiane will provide veteran leadership, the selection includes several new faces from the young French generation.

Very young players like Aïnhoa Risacher (ASVEL, 17), Alicia Tournebize (Bourges, 18), Sarah Cissé (BLMA, 18) and Nell Angloma (BLMA, 19) will have the opportunity to discover or confirm their place with the national team.

Alongside them, recently established national team players who are also prominent on the European scene will bring their high-level experience, notably Pauline Astier, Tima Pouye and Maëva Djaldi-Tabdi.

Two games to prepare for the future

The French team will use this international window with no qualification stakes – France already being qualified for the second round of Euro 2027 – to lay the groundwork for the next major event: the World Cup 2026 Qualification Tournament, scheduled for March 11-17 in Villeurbanne.

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The training camp will conclude with two preparation matches:

• France vs Italy, Saturday November 15 at 7:30 PM

• Spain vs France, Sunday November 16 at 5:00 PM

Head coach Jean-Aimé Toupane explained the focus of this gathering:

« We built this France Group taking into account many parameters: no qualification matches; player fatigue and physical condition; the succession for some between club seasons, WNBA and National Team… We need to consider all of this, which is why I discussed and collaborated with all players, particularly those not on this list. Eight players present at Euro 2025 in Greece will be back with the team this November. This base will allow us to work for the future, while reviewing the last campaign to improve several technical, tactical and collective aspects. »

A rising generation to watch closely

This gathering will showcase the future of French women’s basketball, represented by several players born after 2005. Risacher, Tournebize and Cissé symbolize this talented generation trained in major French clubs.

Their gradual integration into the national team reflects Toupane and FFBB’s desire to prepare for the post-Paris 2024 era by building a young, athletic team focused on the future.

The French national team staff: Jean-Aimé Toupane assisted by David Gautier and Grégory Halin