PARIS (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - If there was one player who epitomised the hard work and defensive qualities of France when reaching the U18 European Championship Women Final last year, it was Camille Cirgue.

The 1.87m forward's beautifully simplistic and highly effective approach to the game proved to be a real beacon of success in Matosinhos, Portugal.

It was also a breakout tournament at youth level for the player, as she emerged from the event having established herself as the rock upon which her team's run to the Final was predominantly built.

Now Cirgue is hoping she has done enough to punch a ticket for Chekhov as she is determined to take her bow at the global level and follow in the footsteps of those who have only recently made a splash.

"I think that this last tournament in Matosinhos was a reference for us and a really good example with my team of how we can play some excellent basketball," she mused.

"We showed our best basketball, but I hope that this summer we'll show our basketball can be even stronger.

For me to now possibly play in a world tournament is a dream. - Cirgue

"There is just one world tournament left for me at youth level, so it's a very singular experience.

"When I was younger, I watched the FIBA U17 Women's World Championship when it was in France.

"It is a really good memory for me to have been there and to have seen such good players like Olivia Epoupa and Breanna Stewart.

"So I'm naturally very excited at the idea of now ​​participating in a World Championship myself and to discover the basketball culture of other continents."

"If I go to Chekhov, my goal will be very simple and that is give the best of myself for the team and I think it will be the same for all my team-mates.

"With an approach like this, maybe the team will have good success."

While Cirgue may not be a typical power forward who oozes athleticism, it is her reading of the game, efficiency, discipline, passing, defense, rebounding and ability to shoot from distance that all make her such an important component of the French roster.

"I am a simple player," she acknowledged. "I have a good shot from three-point range and a correct passing game.

"I guess my game is also made by my commitment and rebounding - and I always try to improve my aggressiveness towards the basket and my post-up play."

In Portugal last year, France's U18 women's 18 head coach Arnaud Guppillotte paid tribute to Cirgue's mentality and application which has seen her rise to the fore as something of a late bloomer at youth level.

Her court smarts have been enhanced by watching the player she admires most in the shape of Les Bleues star Endene Miyem who is leaving Bourges and the LFB to head for EuroLeague Women champions ZVVZ USK Prague.

Still, Cirgue is pumped at the prospect of watching the forward step out at EuroBasket Women 2015 next month and confessed she will be glued to the action.

She said: "It's another very big summer for French basketball and of course I will watching!"

"My favourite player is still 'Endy', but in reality, I love all the players of the team.

"I'm also really happy for Endy going to Prague as I think it’s really a good experience to play basketball in another country."

In Russia, France have been drawn in Group C with Belgium, Canada and Mali.

FIBA