TEAM COMPOSITION

The French, who finished fifth in the first-ever World League in 1990, negociated a tricky passage through to the Finals, playing in Russia, China and Italy.

By the end of August, it was mission accomplished. Head Coach Philippe Blain’s Men had booked themselves a place in Moscow after winning Pool matches against the Russians, Italians and Chinese, home and away.

In the Final, France lost in five sets to Brazil, but it was still their crowning glory so far in the world of Volleyball, and set them up nicely for the 2006 FIVB World Championship in Japan.

France had won the bronze medal at the 2002 FIVB World Championship in Buenos Aires, their first appearance in the tournament in 12 years moving them from 10th to fifth in the FIVB world rankings, and after their silver medal at the 2003 European Championship and the impressive World League performance three years later they had every right to be in a confident mood.

The 2006 World Championships started very well for the French when they beat Brazil, which would prove to be the only defeat of the event for the eventual winners.

Unfortunately, the young French team did not capitalize on the Brazil result and a few days later lost to Germany, which negated all the benefits of the Brazil win.

During the second phase, France lost to Bulgaria in an incredible game, killing off any lingering hopes of French glory and they finally finished sixth after losing to Italy in a Playoff.

In the 2007 World League Preliminary Round, the French were up against Japan, Italy and USA. Victims of the Americans, the French missed out on first place in their Pool. Blain and his players were given a lifeline, though, with a wild card for the final phase in Katowice, Poland. But after losing a five-set match against Poland, the French team are on their way home.

The French had to quickly pick themselves up in November 2007 for the European Championship in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Bad news struck, though, when Blain lost three of his major players. Frantz Granvorka and Oliver Kieffer were injured just before leaving France, and Pierre Pujol was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after injuring his ankle in the first set of the first game against Slovakia.

Even so, France started well with two victories versus Slovakia and Slovenia before losing to Spain. But in this second phase, the French lost against Serbia, Netherlands and Germany to finish ninth.

In 2008, France missed the main goal of the last years: participation to the Olympic Games. After this terrible disappointment, Philippe Blain squad did not make a success of the world League on 2008. Third of its group in front of Brazil and of Serbia, France will end on the 10th place.

In 2009, the French had the opportunity to reach the Final Six in the World League. Serbia, host country for the final, was qualified but France failed to take the second ticket on the last game in Argentina. In the middle of the summer, France booked the qualification for World Championships in Poland after beating Slovakia and Slovenia. Bad news: Pierre Pujol, the setter, was injured for 3 months and Loïc Le Marrec decided to retire from international team.

In Turkey, for the European championships, French squad was not attempted for the final round. Two new setters completed the team and Yannick Bazin started to lead the games with success: step by step France reached the Main Round and the Final round after beating the European holder, Spain. In semi-final, France was leading 2-0 against Russia and was close to lose after 2-2 and 9-13. But Philippe Blain players came back and Guillaume Samica, with a last ace, concluded the match (17-15).

In the final, Poland beat France (3-1) to conquer the European title. Antonin Rouzier (best scorer), Hubert Henno and Stéphane Antiga were elected in the all star team. France, six years after, clinched the silver medal in the European Championships.

In 2010, France played the FIVB World League (with Serbia, China and Italia) but didn’t reach the final round. After a very good start in the World championships 2010 in Italy, French team missed to enter the last four and had to play the ranking matches. France finished at the 11^th place. During the winter, three top players decided to retire form the national team: Hubert Henno, Libero, Stéphane Antiga and captain Oliver Kieffer.

In 2011, French squad took the 7^th place at the European Championship hold in Austria and Czech Republic. In Tourcoing (France), French failed to qualify for the European Tournament Qualifying for OG: they lost in semi-final vs Belgium. Last chance for French squad will be the one of the last three tournaments for London in Germany or Italy, from 8^th to 10^th June.

With Italy, Usa and Korea Republic, the Blues will try to perform in the FIVB World League 2012, to prepare qualification for the Olympic games in London 2012.

He started his professional career as a setter with the French Junior Team, a position he also played in the French National Championship, before changing to receiver for the French Senior National Team. He ended his professional career at Italian Club Cuneo before devoting himself to training players, taking charge at Italy’s Cuneo and France’s Cannes and Sète Arago.

The highlights of the 50-year-old’s career so far as France Head Coach are a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships in Argentina, silver at the 2003 and 2009 European Championships, qualification for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and silver at the 2006 World League Finals.

At the end of the 2012 international season – October – French Association will nominate a new head coach. Before, Philippe Blain wishes to qualify the French Squad for Olympic games in London.