The Blues finished first in their group at the European team championships after defeating Spain (3-1) and Hungary (3-0). They are now qualified for the round of 16 which will take place on Thursday. Two days of forced rest for the Blues but between training and extra-ping activities, the players will not be bored.
“There we have two days of break I think, so we are going to train well to prepare for a second tournament which begins Thursday with the eighth,” said Félix Lebrun after his last group match. Easy 3-0 victory against Hungary. Which sends the Blues to the round of 16 on Thursday. Two days of rest but not really. “We are going to keep the guys physically and technically in the game,” recalls Nathanaël Molin, the Blues coach. “The challenge is to keep the players in the game. And to arrive at the next four days trying to develop the best possible ping.”
So for that, let's start with training this Tuesday. “I think we will do two sessions, and then maybe a physical session on Wednesday,” thinks Félix. He's right, first training this Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. and the second at the end of the day. But this schedule may vary depending on the profiles. “It depends on the players, it depends on each one in fact, we try to prepare as best as possible individually to be as ready as possible for the team behind,” explains Félix, 5th in the world. “Each player is a little different. There are some who need to stick it out more, others who need to recover a little more. There is individualization in this part too,” admits Molin, the coach. Typically, Simon Gauzy is one of those who needs to play. “It will allow me to get a little more play, practice. I know that the more I play, the better I will play. So, keep that in mind, but also not get burned out because there are going to be the last four days which will be the most important.”
Swimming pool, beach, diving…
Not burning out also means taking time for yourself, to do something else. Because for 48 hours, you have to keep busy outside of these training sessions. “What’s also certain is that we’re going to enjoy the surroundings a little. It’s true that the weather is nice and the surroundings are super nice,” smiles Gauzy. The Blues can take advantage of the next to their hotel. Located to the west of the city, on the edge of the Adriatic Sea and close to a small marina, the French team has no shortage of activities. Tennis courts, beach, diving, swimming pool… Zadar is like a small seaside resort. In addition, the weather is good: sunny weather forecast and around twenty degrees. “We'll maybe do a little snorkeling, it'll be nice,” smiles Simon Gauzy, 30 years old. “I think we will have time to do two or three nice things. A little bit of beach volleyball, a little bit of snorkeling, as Simon said, but above all a lot of ping-pong…” recalls Alexis Lebrun. However, the team staff keeps an eye on its players. The idea being that they don't do anything. “We're clearing our minds, but we're still at the European Championship. We have to do things with moderation. I think the message has gotten through, but we'll always have a little bit of control over all that. We're not monitoring, but we just want to know what they plan to do in the moments that we give them more freedom,” insists Nathanaël Molin, the coach.
Everyone is on the same wavelength. It is important to spend time outside of the room, and all together. “We try to take advantage of these little moments of rest to spend time together because it's nice. We simply want to be together. But then if there is someone who doesn't want to come, they do what they want, it's like I said, important to be well individually, but everyone is quite happy to spend time together, so it's quite easy”, explains Félix, 19 years old. Then, there is the activity which obviously brings together everyone. “We brought back the Play Station”, like in almost every competition, admits Félix. “I think there are two, three FIFA matches that will go away,” his big brother Alexis is already predicting. “Simon’s not the best,” adds Alexis, laughing. “I've never played in my life, I have no knowledge. But apparently, he (Alexis) is the boss. I'm putting myself on his team. We're going to play together,” laughs Gauzy. Nothing to be bored while waiting for the return to the table on Thursday in the Kresimir Cosic room where the team Europes take place. And until then, the Blues will also follow the draw of their next opponents in the round of 16.
