"We're already in the thick of it": the French volleyball team in Cannes for a final test against Serbia

A friendly match with a revealing feel. Still training at the Palais des Victoires in Cannes-La Bocca, the two-time French Olympic champions will be back with the Côte d'Azur crowd this Wednesday evening (8:30 p.m.) for a friendly match against Serbia, a historic volleyball nation in the world.

A hint of reunion hangs over this duel. The last time the two teams met was on July 28, 2024, during the opening match of the Olympic tournament in Paris. That day, the Blues kicked off their golden run with a thrilling 3-2 victory.

A studious preparation

For over a week, Andrea Giani and his men have been fine-tuning their preparations for the World Cup. "The conditions are ideal: an air-conditioned room, the sea nearby for free time, and peace and quiet for working. For the players, it's perfect," insists the Italian coach.

The squad, expanded to 17 players, must be further reduced to 15 before departing for Asia. Suffice it to say that the double confrontation against the Serbians will weigh heavily on the staff's final choices. Andrea Giani will announce his final list tomorrow.

"All the choices are difficult. We want to provide the team with the best players, but also those in the best physical condition. We will play in the World Cup seven times, and we will need players ready to be on the pitch." The blue group is doing well, but is moving forward with caution.

Some key players are returning from injury, like Earvin Ngapeth, who will not be in the lineup tonight. "I'm getting back into it gradually. I prefer to reach 80% fitness at the start of the World Cup, and then build up strength," explains the Var striker.

Serbia under reconstruction

Although Serbia has not shone recently, its record commands respect: Olympic champion in 2000, world champion in 1998. Today, 12th in the world rankings (compared to 4th for France), it must face the retirement of certain key players and integrate a new generation.

"It's a team that remains very physical, technical, with a lot of character. It's an ideal match to progress," assures Giani. His counterpart Gheorghe Crețu is counting on new faces, with several young players looking for their bearings.

"They have new players arriving, including a friend of mine, Veljko Mašulović, with whom I play at a club in Italy (Pallavolo Padua). They are trying to make their mark in turn," explains Nice's Benjamin Diez.

"Find our game again"

For the players from the region, this match has a special flavor. Trained at AS Cannes, Diez is relishing it. "It's still early in the preparation, but we're already in the thick of it. The goal is to get back to our game."

Kevin Tillie, a native of Cagnes-sur-Mer, is equally enthusiastic: "It will be interesting to see how we fare." After an encouraging Nations League campaign that ended in the quarter-finals, the Blues want to turn the page.

"We know we can beat everyone, but we can also lose to everyone. That slap against Slovenia could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe we thought we were a little too good. It reminded us that we have to stay focused," says Ngapeth. "For some who have been in the French team for 15 years, this will be their last competition. It makes it easier to come to training; here we're happy every day."

With less than a month to go until the kick-off in the Philippines, this France-Serbia match won't be on the charts, but it's already on people's minds.