In futsal, how France became a “special” country – Libération

2024-09-14 07:13:00

Small spaces, big expectations

Full of ambition, the Blues are competing in the prestigious World Cup, which begins this Saturday, September 14 in Uzbekistan. Created in 1997, the selection has gained ground in recent years and benefits from a national championship system, “one of the best in Europe”.

It was 27 years ago, in 1997. The French Football Federation (FFF) launched its national futsal team. Ten years later, a domestic champion was founded. In 2018, for the first time in their history, the Blues qualified for the European Championship, their only participation to date. Three years later, coach Pierre Jacky, in office for seventeen years, resigned. The start of a new generation was made by his successor Raphaël Reynaud, who led the Tricolores to their first qualification for a World Cup, which will be played in Uzbekistan from September 14 to October 6, 2024, with the first match on Monday September 16 against in Guatemala. Unbeaten, they flew through the qualifying stages with a record of eight wins and two draws. An osmosis on the ground confirmed on April 14 by a historic success – albeit in a friendly match – against Brazil, the queen country of the discipline.

The positive results are explained by the change that started a few years ago. “The first period of inventory allowed us to change the game project. remember Raphaël Reynaud, who insisted on using his men’s strength to the fullest. “Most of the training is in the city stadiums, the five [du football à cinq contre cinq, qui se joue sur des terrains fermés, ndlr]. My players are not able to solve all the problems in the game so the goal is to rely on our dribbling, our ability to give. Whether it’s against Brazil or another opponent, we do the same thing. “

“The gap between the world of football and futsal is abysmal”

The FFF ensures that this game plan is common to each futsal selection, senior and junior, men and women (a selection which will not be created until 2023). “It is important to rely on the same sporting identity to be on an international scale. It is not a question of copying the Spanish or others, but of building our own futsal. Raphaël Reynaud explained. The influencer has a better idea than the advice aspect. “It changed the players. With Pierre Jacky, the job is well done, but there is a kind of barrier, a glass ceiling. noted Philippe Lafrique, member of the executive committee of the FFF, and responsible for the development of the discipline. “In the locker room now, we don’t hear players complaining about the level of difference because they’re not professionals [le championnat français reste amateur]. There are brains.”

If Raphaël Reynaud can pride himself on being one of the only geniuses to have beaten the Seleçao, he is nevertheless at ease about the work done so far. Go back six years. Initiated by his predecessor Pierre Jacky and the FFF, a first development plan shook French men’s futsal in 2018. “Noël Le Graët thinks it is unfair that the gap between the world of football and futsal is so negligible,” recalls Philippe Lafrique. From that time, the FFF introduced D1 teams, with the appearance of “team licenses”, which allowed sports teams to receive an annual grant of 20,000 euros. Provided that they create and develop youth sections, railway safety agents, trainers, supporters. The season coincides with the Blues’ very first for the Euros.

Philippe Lafrique, then the curator of the program, climbed the role: “Qualification is unexpected so early. This allows us to have some visibility and to start this development very quickly. “ D1 is getting competitive and recruiting stars, like the Portuguese Ricardinho. “The French team owes its development to that of its champion. It continues to improve, develop, the system itself. Our teams improve every year. notes Raphaël Reynaud.

“Sooner than expected”

Once Philippe Diallo is at the head of the FFF, at the beginning of 2023, the second phase of the process is launched. In the President’s thoughts, futsal is important. “We have to move forward. Philippe Diallo decided that futsal is a strong position of the Federal development program, like women’s football.» Elite teams now benefit from a subsidy of 80,000 and 120,000 euros. Internally, we even consider establishing a professional license from the second division. “In Europe, in addition to Spain with its professional league and its television rights, France is the country that supports its teams the most financially,” assures Philippe Lafrique.

And to draw a comparison: “Portugal, which is the European and world champion, is less than five times. D1 teams are important to us. He is one of the best champions in Europe. The French team benefited from this, because some players eventually got used to high-intensity games. Qualification for the World Cup in Uzbekistan is a gift, which will serve as both a test and an aperitif before the real reason, in two years. “We are thinking about Euro 2026, not the World Cup 2024, says Philippe Lafrique. France went a little faster than expected. Now, we will have to sustain these results to achieve our goal. “

From now on, futsal is the number 1 sport in UNSS (National Association of Secondary School Sports). Which makes it the most disciplined discipline in school. In the clubs, the number of licenses has increased from 25,000 to 45,000 the enthusiasm is growing and it is possible for any young person to try their luck at Pôle France futsal in Lyon. Inspired by the Clairefontaine model, the program was launched in 2018 to compensate for the lack of training centers in France. “It allows us to take care of the training of all the young people. Results follow. Now, the under-19s qualify each season for the final stage of the European Championships. remove Philippe Lafrique.

French talents are now abroad, like Mamadou Touré (FC Barcelona) or Amin Benslama (El Ejido). “Our belief is that our differences add up. These international experiences are positive for the group and mean that our results are currently positive,” draw up Raphaël Reynaud. And to finish: “The training gives talented young players to the French team. These are the results of the organization of futsal clubs and schools. All this did not exist ten years ago. It’s the hard work that allows France to become a significant alternative. “