Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP)

Two rooms, two atmospheres. Amateurs in a club, but cuddled "like pros" in selection, the players of the French futsal team invite themselves into the world gotha ​​despite a precarious daily life where they juggle, for the most part, between sporting practice and profession of extra.

From February 1 to 4 in Nis (Serbia), a happy band composed of an electrician, an educator or even gym guards will don the blue tunic to challenge Spain, Ukraine and the host country during the last qualifying round at the 2020 World Cup, a tournament never before reached in the young history of the Habs.

Faced with these professional teams, France will replay the well-known fable of Petit Poucet, led by goalkeeper Djamel Haroun, on the emblematic course of a discipline that has remained confidential in France.

In charge of missions at the town hall of Roubaix, the captain (36 years old) "hits 250 km by car" three to four times a week to join his club of Garges-lès-Gonesse, in the Paris region, where he plays in the first division .

"The difference between professionalism and amateurism is that we train from 8pm to 10pm" and not during the day, says the Northerner, paid for in mileage allowances by the club. "We almost all work alongside, apart from three or four players" who make a living from their sport, he says.

For coach Pierre Jacky, this is what makes them "endearing". "The guys take time off to come here, it's pretty fabulous. They have a big heart like that, they fight like lions."

Twentieth in the world, in 2018 France became the first amateur nation to qualify for a Euro. Rebelote in 2020 for the qualifying "Elite round" at the World Cup, where she hopes to tickle the big ones. "As in the Coupe de France: it's a National 3 club that will meet PSG," said the technician.

- Players still "marginalized" -

The parallel stops however at the gates of Clairefontaine, the training center for French teams where the "futsaleurs" benefit from high-end equipment for their preparation course. With, as a bonus, a surprise installation in the famous "Castle" of world champions Didier Deschamps.

"For players who are still marginalized, especially in their status, it's huge," said the coach. "When the taxi dropped us off, we told him he was wrong!" Laughs Samir Alla, the only Blue player in the second division.

A player in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, in Calvados, the Norman rocks at each gathering in another world. Gymnastics warden, handyman in his club ("I manage the club with two, three people every day"), bus driver in the summer, he finds XXL staff in the Yvelines: coaches, physiotherapists, doctor, analyst video, media manager.

"When we get here, we feel like pros. This is what makes us want to continue and it's a kiff", appreciates the 35-year-old international, first witness to the structuring of the France team .

- "Little patelins" -

Since its creation in 1997, the tricolor selection has freed itself from a fledgling practice where footballers on the grass supplied the main body, at least when they could come.

"There was both the reluctance of the boss and that of the football coach," recalls Pierre Jacky, a coach who managed "very rarely to have the same workforce".

International for almost 15 years, Djamel Haroun takes an amused look at his first gatherings. "We came on Monday to play Tuesday!", After a plane trip followed by a bus trip to reach "little patelins" more often.

Those who have wiped the plasters of a long artisanal selection, now draw from it a strength and a state of mind which, they hope, will last.

"These guys really come for the love of the jersey. There is nothing behind it, apart from playing for the country, the nation, the values ​​that France embodies. It is truly an honor and a pride, "says the captain.

Saturday at the opening of the Elite round (8:30 p.m.), the Garges goalkeeper will wait for Spain, the most successful nation in Europe, with a firm footing: "This group is so hungry that we start to dream. Not to dream, but to realize our dreams, in all modesty and humility. "

© 2020 AFP