On August 7, after an incredible final against Russia won in the tie-break, the French team won the first Olympic title in its history. A major feat, which came to conclude in the most beautiful way the nine years spent by Laurent Tillie as coach. Starting from nothing - or so little - at the time, the Blues ended up writing in Tokyo the most beautiful chapter of their history. It would have been legitimate for them to have the time to savor and digest a summer started by a third place in the League of Nations, followed by a gold medal at the Games. Alas, it is not knowing well the requirements of the international calendar in a discipline which offers no respite to its artists, constantly forced to put their work back on the job. As a result,not even a month later, here is the French team launched to conquer Europe, after having annexed Olympus.
From Tokyo to Talinn (Estonia), theater of the 1st round of the Blues during this Euro 2021, the gap is large. Even if some, like Earvin Ngapeth, say they are ready to comply with good grace. "
For me, a fortnight's break is perfect, so you don't need to start over on land work
", explains the head of the hexagonal volleyball. “
A longer break would have been more physically complicated. There, it was just the mind that was difficult. We are Olympic champions and we have to get back into the competitive spirit. Physically, I think we're ready. Mentally, little by little, it comes back. We thought it was going to be harder, finally it's okay.
"An opinion not necessarily shared by its captain, Benjamin Toniutti:"
Clearly, this Euro does not come at the right time.
It happens too soon, after a particular summer with the sanitary conditions, being far from our families.
"Nor by her libero, Jenia Grebennikov, who let loose at Le Figaro:"
It's boring to go on so quickly.
In other team sports, they are just getting ready to resume in clubs while we were already in full preparation for this Euro.
"
The revenge ball
However, the Blues will have no other choice but to quickly reveal their new status as reigning Olympic champions in a competition where they will be particularly expected. Because on the way to gold, the French have shattered some dreams among their European neighbors. Especially with the Russian ogre, beaten twice in Tokyo - in groups and in the final - and who wants revenge. The Poles, too, did not have time to forget their exit from the road in the quarter-finals against the French, even though they had emerged at the top of their group with assertive title ambitions. With a last four which will take place at home, in Katowice, Poland intends to uphold its status as the reigning double world champion. And at the revenge ball, Serbia,who will defend his title but who was not at the Games largely because of the Blues, Slovenia or Germany will also be contenders to try to immediately bring the French down from their clouds.
What makes us even more happy, beyond coming to train us, is that it has a real ambition to develop French volleyball, to work with young people.
Earvin Ngapeth
A French team which, to keep its motivation intact, will be able to count on the contribution of its new staff, headed by the “
legend
” Bernardinho.
For his first major international competition on the French bench, the Brazilian will be under pressure from the result.
But for him who was able to resist it in 2016 by taking Brazil to the Olympic title at home, it should not be a huge problem to manage.
"
He is someone who has a lot of values and principles
", says Ngapeth of him.
"
He is very human. What makes us even more happy, beyond coming to train us, is that it has a real ambition to develop French volleyball, to work with young people. It is important. After everything he did, he didn't have to. We need people like him, who was at the head of Brazilian volleyball.
"
More delicate on the other hand could prove to be the physical aspect, between Frenchmen who lived exhausting Games with several battles in five sets, while nations like Germany or Serbia were resting or already preparing this Euro. In what state of form will the hexagonal troops be, who will rely on ten of the Olympic champions from Tokyo (only missing Stephen Boyer and Kevin Tillie)? Hard to say. A priori, the qualification for the round of 16, promised to the first four of a group where they will compete, in chronological order, against Slovakia, Croatia, Germany, Latvia and Estonia, should not pose of problem. But finishing first would allow them to approach the final table in the best possible way with a more affordable 8th.Will they still have enough gasoline in their engine to achieve this? Start of response this Friday against Slovakia (19:00).
