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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

On y va, allez les Bleues 💪 🏀

Reposted by Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff

Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

🏀🇫🇷Les Bleues Key Idea 5️⃣ France starts its #FIBAWWC quest this Friday w/new captain Gabby Williams at the helm. I've spoken with Gabby about her transatlantic story. 👉 And it's stuck with me, for she articulated the real life impact of athletes' sports diplomacy practice.

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Reposted by Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff

Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

🏀🇫🇷Les Bleues Key Idea 4️⃣ 💡The first French players in NCAA D1 programs kicked off a new era of transatlantic hoops diplomacy that benefitted the game on both sides of the Atlantic. More in #BasketballEmpire www.bloomsbury.com/us/basketbal... and #FranceAndUS www.franceussports.com/voices/categ...

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

🏀🇫🇷Les Bleues Key Idea #3️⃣ 👉There’s no French in the #NBA without women’s basketball and “Les Demoiselles de Clermont” of the 1970s. That team, Clermont Université Club (CUC), featured legendary stars Jacky Chazalon and Élisabeth Riffiod (maman to NBA Champion Boris Diaw) who:

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🏀🇫🇷Les Bleues Key Idea #2️⃣ France contributed to global game, snagging bronze at 1st FIBA Women's World Cup 1953 “Our players came very close to becoming world champions—and, frankly, they would have deserved it, even acknowledging the Americans’ superiority” Coach R. Busnel (Basket-Ball April 1953)

Photo of Team USA versus Team France at FIBA Women's World Cup in Santiago, Chile, 1953

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Ahead of today's France vs USA FIBA Women's World Cup final, its a great time to re-up my recent series around Les Bleues, which contextualizes their renaissance within the global game. Helpful both for historians as well as media covering today's game (and aftermath)

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

🏀🇫🇷Les Bleues Key Idea 1️⃣ Women’s hoops in France has a long history. Frenchwoman Alice Miliat, sports pioneer and “the apostle of women’s basketball,” helped basketball gain traction by 1910s w/1st French championship played by early 1920s. Qi Basketball has more www.qibasket.net/2020/02/04/l...

qibasket.net

L’histoire de l’équipe de France de basket féminine – Episode 1 : Les pionnières du basket (1893-1927) | QiBasket

Après l'équipe de France masculine, plongez dans l'histoire de l'équipe de France féminine de basketball, des années 1920 à aujourd'hui.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Les Bleues’ FIBA Women's World Cup roster features 8 current clutch #WNBA players justwomenssports.com/reads/2026-f... Learn more about FIBA’s #2 ranked team before first tip Friday as I share 5 key ideas from #BasketballEmpire, #FranceAndUS & forthcoming work to contextualize Les Bleues 😉

justwomenssports.com

WNBA Stars Set to Shine at 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin

WNBA stars prepare to hit the court at the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin, as team rosters, key storylines, and schedule updates take shape.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Part of sports diplomacy's appeal as a tool is that, “It’s shiny and sexy and fun,” as I told The Washington Diplomat. That's because “sports provides connection through emotion, regardless of whichever countries we come from or what [issues] could divide us.” washdiplomat.com/how-sports-d...

washdiplomat.com

How sports diplomacy is changing how nations connect | Washington Diplomat

Sports diplomacy can strengthen alliances, reduce tension between potential enemies and turn the world’s attention toward regions too frequently ignored.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

📣 Friday 👉 #SportsDiplomacy Spotlight What's the connection between one of planet’s biggest football stars & the first French celebrity in the US? Here's me on Les Bleus, liberté, and Mbappé taking on Lafayette's rockstar mantle for World Cup Analysis 2026 worldcupanalysis.ws/world-cup-an...

worldcupanalysis.ws

Liberté, Égalité, Mbappé: Les Bleus and America at 250 – World Cup Analysis

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Ok, second half is a chance to reset. Allez Les Bleus

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Reposted by Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff

Kathleen Gier @kgier.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Not to keep bringing ✨women✨ into it, but calling this "the most important match in U.S. Soccer history" is crazy work.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

This game is batty bananas crazy with energy and I am here for it!

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Well, that was a lot of fun! 🙌 Many thanks @britishcouncil.bsky.social for having me on #OurWorldConnectedPodcast to discuss World Cup with Christine Wilson. Listen then let me know: at this point in the tourney, who is winning the soft power game? www.britishcouncil.org/research-ins...

britishcouncil.org

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

As DRC are presently playing England, thought its a good time to remind you of this great Sleeper Hit History" episode about the DRC's last FIFA World Cup trip in 1974 (they were still known as Zaire) youtu.be/aaYxVnUGDy0?...

youtu.be

Sleeper Hit History #1: Haiti and Zaire at the 1974 World Cup

YouTube video by Sleeper Hit History

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

This game is crazy mad fun to watch on Telemundo

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Ahead of the France 🇫🇷 vs Norway 🇳🇴 match at “Boston Stadium” I’m thinking of the different ways the Bay State and its capital have fostered Franco-American #sportsdiplomacy over time. More via the FranceAndUS project www.franceussports.com/backgrounder...

franceussports.com

Boston’s Role in the FranceAndUS Story — FranceAndUs

The sporting ties between France and the United States have fostered closer relationships and understandings since 1893, and Massachusetts — and Boston — have played an important role.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Exciting news! To fête Les Bleus at FIFA World Cup, Bloomsbury is offering a sweet 35% discount on my first book, The Making of Les Bleus: Sport in France, 1958-2010, which examines the French football & youth systems. Use code GLR AT8 through June 30 www.bloomsbury.com/us/making-of...

bloomsbury.com

The Making of Les Bleus

The Making of Les Bleus traces the Fifth Republic’s quest to create elite athletes in two global team sports, football and basketball, primarily at the yo…

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

What if the most interesting thing about today’s France v Iraq World Cup match is not the on-pitch action? What if its the FFF's brand identity and its sports diplomacy partnership with Iraq to train-up the Lionesses of Mesopotamia? More from me here www.lindsaysarahkrasnoff.com/news/2026/4/...

lindsaysarahkrasnoff.com

Joy and Changing the Narrative: The Surprising Example of Sports Diplomacy Storytelling Within FIFA 2026’s Group of Death — Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff

The massive global storytelling platform of FIFA World Cup 2026 provides an opportunity for the Iraqi men’s national football team to reset global narratives, informed by lessons from the FFF’s sports...

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Ok on y va! Who do you have? Regardless it should be a great match

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 Today Les Bleus launch their campaign. Since winning their 2nd star in 2018, a new generation has emerged, redefining how national team players are sports diplomats. How they translate this into on-pitch performance together is what I’m watching. Allez Les Bleus!

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-1️⃣ Another key legacy of hosting & winning 1998 was in women’s ⚽ Les Bleues star Laura Georges was part of the 1️⃣st girls’ cohort at Clairefontaine; she then helped France to a 4th place at FIFA 2011 and top 10 world rankings (more👇) www.espn.com/espnw/sports...

espn.com

France's World Cup title will again help women's soccer

Just as Les Bleus' 1998 World Cup win jump-started women's soccer in France, the 2018 title will only help build momentum toward the 2019 Women's World Cup.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-2️⃣ 🪄Magic of 1998 as Les Bleus won their first FIFA star on home soil, seeding key legacies for the game today: ✅Courage to be fearless ✅Belief in self ✅France that wins Read my 2018 @theathleticfc.bsky.social piece for more www.nytimes.com/athletic/425...

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-5️⃣ By 1980s, Les Bleus had results as youth development system took root & the Carré Magique dazzled. 4️⃣th place FIFA 1982➕Patrick Battiston knocked out by W.German goalkeeper Schumacher, a play that lives in infamy 🏆UEFA Euro 1984 🥇Olympics 1984 🥉FIFA 1986 (more)

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-6️⃣ **Redesigning French Youth Football** The FFF tried to solve the 1960s football crisis via a layered approach starting in the 1970s: 1⃣1973 INF for the best of the best (the federation's apex; see yesterday's post) 2⃣1973-76 Youth academies within pro clubs (more)

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Reposted by Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff

Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Quite a World Cup cover from L’Equipe.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-7️⃣ Out of the 1960s-70s French football crisis came new solutions: the National Football Institute, opened at Vichy November 1972 then moved to Clairefontaine June 1988. Since then, this mythical training ground has become synonymous w/producing top-tier footballers.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

How it's going. Needless to say my writing is sloooow tonight #NBAFinals

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-8️⃣ Despite France’s 1960s youth & sports crisis, the women’s game revived in late 1960s at both the club & elite level. The FFF recognized Les Bleues in 1971, and their first officially recognized match was held that April. www.nytimes.com/2019/06/25/s... (more)

nytimes.com

In Women’s World Cup Origin Story, Fact and Fiction Blur (Published 2019)

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

For my Francophone hoops lovers: over on the other place, @le20h-francetele.bsky.social has a great clip on Wembanyama as France’s best sports diplomat to the United States, how he’s impacting the San Antonio community and opening people’s minds more to France, its basketball & culture.

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-9️⃣ Rome 1960 Games were French sport's “zero hour,” the start of 1960s youth & sports crises. Football was in crisis too. Players’ strike May 1968 won concessions but Les Bleus didn’t qualify for World Cup 1962, 1970, 1974. books.openedition.org/pur/243429

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-1️⃣0️⃣ The first major breakthrough for #LesBleus was the 3rd place finish at FIFA 1958. Two noteworthy keys to know: 1️⃣Just Fontaine scored 13 goals, a record that still stands m.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNHDn… 👇more

m.youtube.com

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-1️⃣1️⃣ Les Bleus played inaugural World Cup 1930 then hosted in 1938, an era when Raoul Diagne debuted (1931); his father - the first black African deputy in the National Assembly - wasn’t happy (more) 👇 inside.fifa.com/news/diagne-...

inside.fifa.com

Diagne blazes a trail with Les Bleus

***When Raoul Diagne made his first appearance for France in 1931, the landmark event could conceivably have been met with a wave of criticism and hostility. As the first black player to represent Les...

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-1️⃣2️⃣ Football’s first global media moment came in May 1920 when French & England women’s squads played their first friendly internationals and a pregame kiss between captains went viral. More in my 2018 @theathleticfc.bsky.social piece www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

#TeamFrance World Cup 2026 D-1️⃣4️⃣ France was part of the game's original golden era, and the first organized women’s football match in France was held on September 30, 1917 between two women’s teams from Club Femina de Paris #FrenchFootball inside.fifa.com/tournaments/...

inside.fifa.com

A century of women's football in France

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Team France World Cup 2026 D-1️⃣5️⃣ Les Bleus’ first officially recorded international match was a Sunday May 1, 1904 friendly against Belgium - a 3-3 draw in Brussels in front of 1,500 spectators. www.fff.fr/selection/ma...

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Prep for France's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign Join me through Les Bleus' June 16 tourney kickoff vs Senegal to amp-up your French football 🇫🇷⚽ knowledge with critical moments & pivotal figures in time based on expertise first developed in #MakingOfLesBlues. Allez!

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Tonight’s NBA Western Conference Game 7 will test the mettle of San Antonio Spurs’ Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, the next face of the league. Join me in Boston Monday June 1 to learn how France became #1 source of non-North American talent to NBA & WNBA www.eventbrite.com/e/chat-chowd...

eventbrite.com

Chat & Chowder | Basketball Empire

Join us for Chat & Chowder with Dr. Lindsay Krasnoff and her new book "Basketball Empire: France and the Making of a Global NBA and WNBA."

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Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff @lempika7.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Thank you @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social for including our chat on Basketball Empire: France and the Making of a Global NBA and WNBA in your women’s hoops roundup! There’s a direct line from the W’s strong French accent this season (11) to Isabelle Fijalkowski, 1st French in the league 1997 💪

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