PARIS (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - The best way to get ready for a FIBA World Championship for Women is to take on as many of the potential opponents in the 16-team field that are willing to give you a game.
In the case of European champions France, several national sides headed to the tournament in the Czech Republic (September 23 to October 3) are to face Les Bleues in warm-up clashes.
The French will go up against Senegal, Canada, Belarus, Japan, Argentina and Brazil in friendly games.
Les Bleues are also going to face as yet unnamed leading sides at a tournament in Vigo, Spain.
Pierre Vincent's French team will then begin its FIBA World Championship campaign against the Senegalese before taking on Greece and the United States in their other Group B games in Ostrava.
The aim of France, who are trying to build momentum for next year's EuroBasket Women in Poland with a view towards qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics, is to at least reach the Quarter-Finals in the Czech Republic.
"The technical staff, headed by Pierre Vincent, has developed a work program that is spread over nearly two months," said national team director Jean-Pierre De Vincenzi.
"During this period, (FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year) Sandrine Gruda and her teammates will play nine preparation games in regions of France where women's basketball already has a presence."
De Vincenzi, the man who guided France's men to a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, added: "These games are therefore an opportunity for the public to come and cheer for the team before France play in the World Championship in the Czech Republic."
France will have a training camp at L'Alpe d'Huez that will last from August 5-20 before gathering again in Deauville, where they will meet Senegal on August 26 in the first warm-up game.
In Mondeville from August 27-29, Les Bleues will go up against Senegal again before twice meeting Poland - the hosts for next year's EuroBasket Women.
Vincent's squad will then travel to Vigo for a tournament from September 2-4 before returning to France and meeting Canada, Belarus and Japan from September 9-11 in Villeneuve d'Ascq.
From September 16-18 will be the Tournament of Amiens and Beauvais with the French meeting Japan, Argentina and Brazil.
The European champions then travel to Ostrava for the start of the FIBA World Championship for Women.
FIBA
