Thursday evening will undoubtedly be special for Axel Julien. The former leader of the JDA Dijon Basket, player of the Burgundy club for six years, will make his return in front of the Côte-d’Orient public. And this time with the jersey of the French team on the shoulders, since the Blues will face Portugal in a qualifying match for the 2023 world championships.
“It will be good to be there with a jersey that will allow me to be applauded”
Now player of the Bourg-en-Bresse club, Julien had checked off this long-standing appointment. “When I was told that the next international window would be in Dijon, I was really happy and excited, he smiled. It will be good to be there with a jersey that will allow me to be applauded. “A nod to his first return to the Palais des Sports, which occurred in the Burgian jersey at the end of January 2021. Axel Julien then sharply beat his ex-teammates during the 18th day of the French championship (54-88, 29/ 01/2022).
” I want […] offer the best match possible”
“I’m happy to play again in this room, to see people I know. Personally I want to offer them the best match possible. I would have liked to do it as a Dijon player but at least it allows me to come back here” explains the leader. After the emotion of the kick-off, Axel Julien nevertheless wants to quickly switch to the meeting, with victory in his sights : “in the France team, the objective is to qualify. It’s an international match and we have to be vigilant.”.
“We must not let them trust”
Facing the Blues, Olympic vice-champions in title, it is the modest team of Portugal, 58th nation in the international ranking, which presents itself. An opponent whom Axel Julien is wary of: “We absolutely have to respect them by making the best match possible. They shouldn’t be trusted. There hasn’t been a lot of France-Portugal in history, so they will be over-motivated. And an over-motivated team is always dangerous. If we show them from the start of the match that it’s not going to be easy, that will calm them down a bit.”.
Now to action. See you at 7 p.m. at the Palais des sports in Dijon and live on France 4.
By Antoine Comte