The French women's basketball team begins its Euro with a victory against Turkey

The French women's basketball team suffered, but prevailed in their first match of Euro 2025, which will be played in Italy, Greece, the Czech Republic, and Germany until June 29. Les Bleues defeated Turkey (71-69) on Wednesday, June 18, in Athens.

Coach Jean-Aimé Toupane's troops were behind for a long time, struggling both offensively and defensively. But they finally managed to come back, thanks to two three-pointers from Valériane Ayayi (14 points, 7 rebounds) in the final minutes. Janelle Salaün, the match's top scorer with 22 points, had kept them afloat.

France, the unfortunate finalist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games , is among the favorites for the continental tournament, which it has not won since 2009. But the team must do without several of its key players retained by the WNBA, the major North American league.

The French team will face Greece on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m., then Switzerland on Saturday, June 21 at 4:30 p.m., for the rest of the group matches.