Paris (AFP)
Swept by Poland on Saturday, the French volleyball team won against Tunisia in Gdansk Sunday, an insufficient success that requires them to win in January the continental qualifying tournament to see Tokyo and compete in the Olympics next summer.
The victory conquered against Tunisia three sets to one (25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22), with a modified starting six compared to Saturday, did not even let the suspense open a few hours , the time to wait for the match between Poland and Slovenia, since only a win without losing any set against the recent champion of Africa would have allowed a tiny hope.
"It was important to finish with a win, it's not the simplest matches, they do not have much interest because it's clear that Poland will take a set against the Slovenes. do not qualify, "commented Julien Lyneel at the microphone of the channel The Team after the meeting.
The improbable reversal of the situation has therefore not taken place and the qualification of Laurent Tillie's men will go through European catch-ups in less than five months.
It will be from January 6th to 12th, probably in Berlin, with a very strong competition, since there will be at least either Italy, vice Olympic champion in Rio in 2016, or Serbia, 4th of the last World Championship in 2018. And a single ticket to the key, for the winner of this tournament of the last chance.
A dangerous mission for the Blues who are trying to qualify France for the Olympic Games for the fifth time after Seoul-1988, Barcelona-1992, Athens-2004, and Rio-2016.
- Revenge at home for the Euro -
Before this tournament chop, the French have another huge challenge ahead of them in September (12-29): the European Championship home with a first round in Montpellier (including Italy and Bulgaria), an 8th and a Quarter in Nantes, and if all goes well a final square in Paris-Bercy, place of so many exploits of teams of France.
A crucial event for the hexagonal volleyball, with maximum media exposure, where an eighth podium will be the goal to achieve, while the Volleyball Blue remain on failures in major leagues - 9th of the 2016 Olympic Games, 9th of the Euro -2017 and 7th of the World-2018.
Poland's correction on Saturday, which announced that home-based TQO was the top priority of its summer, gave some idea of the work that remains to be done to achieve this.
"We had a nice slap yesterday against the Poles, we must not question everything.It is necessary to remobilize and re-balance for the next installments with the Euro," explained Lyneel.
"Teams like Poland are physically above us, but we have to play with our values and what makes us strong, it was not our day yesterday, it was the Poles. will see, "he concluded.
© 2019 AFP