Last February, the French water polo team put in a stunning performance, only failing to reach the World Cup finals during a penalty shootout against Croatia in the semi-finals. This historic result at the World Cup (4th place) obviously gives the Blues confidence ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris, where they will be considered outsiders.
The Tricolors will play their first four group matches at the Olympic Aquatic Center in Saint-Denis, which will host a friendly between France and the USA this Monday evening, followed by the French Final Four (vs. Marseille, Pays ‘The ex”). , Noisy-le-Sec and Strasbourg) as a test event.
National coach Florian Bruzzo will be closely monitoring the competition, which features almost all of France’s players.
How important is the Final Four at the Olympic Aquatic Center for you and your players?
FLORIAN BRUSZO. We had to organize this test event together with the international federation with a match for the French national team. I considered it inappropriate and disrespectful to the clubs to organize an international match without bets between the championship and the Champions League matches. Therefore, we agreed with the international federation to organize the final stages of our championship in Olympic conditions. It’s good that the clubs are participating and that the athletes already have experience working at this aquatic complex in an official match, in a medal match. In addition to those playing in Tourcoing, all the French national team players will be present on these two days.
Is this really a big plus?
Certainly ! The players will train in the Olympic swimming pool. They will know the route, the dressing rooms, the environment… When they come to play an Olympic match, they will not be surprised. Visual cues, cages and lights, as well as noises are really important. For example, I plan to train with noise so that they get used to all the environmental conditions around the match. During these three days we will receive a lot of information.
“We will be very competitive at the Olympics”
Are any players going to make big plays in this competition?
Honestly, no. I’ve been working with the guys for 3 years now. The group was formed. Poor performance will not necessarily result in a player being excluded from the French selection. I already have an idea about the group I will take. What will change is the injuries. Or a player who enters a brilliant competition and wins a ticket. But this is very rare.
Less than 3 months later it feels like the light is green…
I’m not superstitious, but today there are no serious obstacles for the French team to perform well. If we are free of serious injuries and the entire team, staff and players improve by 10-15% at all levels during this preparation, we will be very competitive at the Olympic Games. We are clearly aiming for a medal in 3 months.
Is it a source of pride that France achieved its best ever World Cup finish?
No. It’s satisfaction in what you want to do. The semi-final gives us an experience that will be more ambitious next summer. This was the right time to try it out. This performance strengthened the mutual trust between the players and staff.
Source: Le Parisien
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