Passage to the next class validated for the new French volleyball team. Deprived since the summer of most of its executives, who preferred rest to a dense program of competitions under the blue jersey, Andrea Giani's team nevertheless offered itself the right to play Poland in the Euro final on Saturday September 26 in Milan (at 9 p.m.). The day before, the Blues defeated the Finns (3-1), who had surprised them last year at the World Cup.
Facing the world numbers 1, the double reigning Olympic champions have the opportunity to seek a new European title which has eluded them since 2015 and a ticket for the 2028 Olympics. "No one would have believed it on May 18 when we started again, it's great. We created a team, a style of play. I believed crazy [in this project] otherwise I wouldn't have come. put on the track of performance, of requirement It takes, and it's beautiful to see", savored at the end of the semi-final the new captain Antoine Brizard, who took over from Benjamin Toniutti, retired.
A gradual rise in power
Because despite its rich record, this new French team, with only three of the heroes of Paris 2024, initially flouted its volleyball in the Nations League between June and July. Too inconsistent and fragile in certain sectors of the game, it did not manage to reach the final phase of this competition for the first time since... 2015. The Blues therefore presented themselves at the Euro with the only stated ambition of coming out first in their group to open up their table as much as possible.
With only one defeat in eight games, Andrea Giani's men have gradually gained strength. Already present at Paris 2024, the sharp Théo Faure has taken on a new dimension, with an average of nearly 17 points per match. The new generation, which had already been able to erase "bad habits" by taking an example from the elders during the League of Nations, has found its place.
The Mathis Henno revelation
Inside the first two matches of the Euro, Mathis Henno, 19-year-old receiver-attacker and son of former French libero Hubert Henno, has for example since regained his splendor, scoring another 21 points with 70% efficiency in attack in the semi-finals. “It was a normal situation,” said Andrea Giani, recalling that a young player “needs to understand how to manage his responsibilities”.
The coach praised the good communication and the role of the elders in helping the prodigy. “The pressure was different. Maybe at the beginning it was difficult for me. I talked about it to those around me and we found solutions,” Mathis Henno modestly recounts to franceinfo: sport. Another satisfaction: the young central Simon Magnin, 22 years old, for his first major international competition, left his role of substitute for that of starter. François Huetz, 26, also revealed himself. “There is healthy competition among the centrals. Stephen [Boyer, Olympic champion in 2021] brings his experience from the bench,” appreciates Antoine Brizard, to franceinfo: sport.
“Each replacement brings something. They are not frustrated.”
Antoine Brizard, captain of the French volleyball team
at franceinfo: sport
“Antoine Pothron replaces Trévor Clévenot, illustrates the captain. Noa Duflos-Rossi often makes the difference when he comes on duty.” The latter, for example, slammed an ace along the line in the fourth set against Finland at the start of the money-time (19-12). “We transformed ourselves and that’s what got us this far, thanks to work and group cohesion,” assures Mathis Henno.
Building a united group
Arriving in Poland, Andrea Giani's new look collective had not yet had to experience a decisive match together. They have proven that they can withstand the pressure of these decisive moments. "In the eighth, I felt some tension but that's normal. Against Portugal, we had a good match but not incredible. So for the quarters, I spoke with the players to make them understand that they had raised their level, that we were well prepared physically and mentally", told Andrea Giani, to franceinfo: sport, the day after the victory against Romania in the quarters.
Like Team Yavbou, very united and led by Earvin Ngapeth, who won the first European title in the history of the Blues in 2015, this collective seems to be building "a soul", in the coach's words. Despite several days of break between matches, no tourist visit on the program.
“We play board games and cards, we chat with each other. We stay as a team as much as possible, and we try not to disperse.”
Mathis Henno, receiver-forward
at franceinfo: sport
The players are also strongly encouraged by Andrea Giani “not to waste energy looking at social networks or responding to texts from family”. They will still have been able to read messages from alumni who stayed at home but were very attentive to the journey of their teammates. “We receive a lot of messages of support from them, we feel they are with us,” confides Antoine Brizard.
Qualification for the next Olympics now only depends on a victory. In the event of defeat, the points earned during their European journey will nevertheless be valuable for the world ranking. Not enough to get the captain excited: "Nothing is done. The hardest part is to be consistent. The journey is going to be long. Everything is so fragile in this world, but the signals are very positive."
