Women's volleyball euro: "a real test" for a French team under construction

C’était le tube de l’été. Handballeurs, handballeuses et volleyeurs en or, basketteurs en argent et basketteuses en bronze : les équipes de France de « BHV»» ont brillé lors des Jeux olympiques (JO) de Tokyo. Il ne manquait que les volleyeuses pour parfaire cette cuvée cinq étoiles.

But the latter do not evolve in the same category as their indoor sports counterparts. Classées au 33^e rang mondial, les Bleues n’existent pas dans les compétitions internationales. Leur dernier résultat est une 21^e place (sur 24) lors du championnat d’Europe 2019.Suffice to say that the French are far from being among the favorites of the 2021 edition, which started Wednesday August 18 (in Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania) and that they will start with a match against Russia, Friday (20hours).

This lack of competitiveness of the blue is explained by many factors.Starting with the lack of means."The Federation has two Olympic disciplines, the Volley Indoor [indoor] and Beach Volley, with investments to be made," explains Axelle Guiguet, national technical director (DTN):

"Historically, female volleyball has always suffered from arbitrations: for more than thirty years, only a quarter of the volleyball budget indoors went to girls.»»

On the level of the national selection, "it prevented from doing long courses, continues Axelle Guiguet.The girls only had ten days to prepare a large competition, we could not expect miracles.»»

The template, a major problem

Appointed at the head of the national team in 2018, Emile Rousseaux became aware of the site that awaited him.Before his arrival, the Belgian coach made an audit.He remembers: "I was disappointed with what I saw.You have to be careful, because I don't want to discourage those who do their job well, but, overall, work in terms of detection is insufficient.»»

The physical dimension crystallizes attentions. « Il y a un vrai problème : les joueuses de grande taille ne vont pas vers le volley»», explique Hubert Henno, ancien international français et consultant pour France Télévisions pendant les Jeux olympiques.

Ce que confirme Emile Rousseaux : « Les filles de grande taille vont plus naturellement vers le basket»», relève le sélectionneur, selon qui « la détection arrive trop tard par rapport aux autres sports»». « On a une surabondance sur la tranche d’âge 18-22 ans, alors que les autres nations commencent sur le secteur 5-12 ans»», développe-t-il.

In 2019, 67,000 women were dismissed in volleyball clubs, almost three times less than basketball and handball (180,000 each).

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France is home to nine poles to train future high -level volleyball players. « Dans certains pôles, 80 % des filles mesurent moins de 1,70 m»», se désole le sélectionneur.The average size of French people who will compete in the euro is 1.80 m.Or 8 centimeters less than the Russians. « Dans un sport de taille comme le volley, c’est forcément rédhibitoire»», renchérit Hubert Henno, désormais entraîneur du club masculin de Nantes.

« La qualité et la quantité de joueuses sont limitées»»

Axelle Guiguet is aware of the problem."I asked technical executives to invest in the detection of templates.We try to collaborate with schools and colleges.»» Une mission ralentie par l’épidémie de Covid-19, qui a fait perdre 30 % de licenciés au volley en 2020-2021.

In this context, Ligue A clubs, the first national division, bet above all on foreign players.The rules nevertheless forced them to align at least one French."Of the first twelve games of the last championship, only 22 % of the holders were French," recalls Emile Rousseaux. Cela représente vingt-cinq joueuses en tout, dont 40 % évoluaient au poste de libéro !»»

Distinguishing itself from its teammates by a jersey of another color, the Libero essentially has a defensive role and does not go up to the net.It is therefore a position where the size criterion is less important.But a team has only one Libero ...

"A French player is very unlikely to perform here," adds Fabien Simondet, coach of the Béziers women's team, second in the last championship.I would be happy to have more French women in my workforce, but the quality and the quantity of players are limited.»»

France Avenir 2024, a solution?

Among the initiatives implemented, the France women's pole team joined Ligue A in 2018. Baptisée « France Avenir 2024»», elle est composée de joueuses de niveau junior (moins de 20 ans).These can thus confront high level. « C’est une bonne idée à la base, mais elles ne gagnent quasiment pas de matchs»», tempère Fabien Simondet.

In three years in the elite, France Avenir 2024 won only two meetings."What bothers me is that there is a certain culture of defeat," continues the Biterrois technician.It's complicated for players to take 3-0 every weekend.»»

In this long -term work, Axelle Guiguet prefers to retain the positive. « L’équipe de France junior a atteint les demi-finales de l’Euro en 2020, avec une équipe type qui sort du pôle France Avenir 2024»», souligne-t-elle.Young French women had not reached this rank since 1996.

What to be optimistic with a view to the Paris Olympics in three years, where the Bleues will be present for the first time (as an organizing country)?"The French team begins to perform against teams formerly unplayable. Mais l’Euro va être un vrai test»», convient Hubert Henno. Et Axelle Guiguet de conclure : « J’aurais préféré que les Jeux soient en 2028 pour les femmes !»»