In futsal, how France became a nation “that matters” – Libération

Full of ambition, the Blues are in the semi-final of the World Cup in the discipline, Thursday October 3 in Uzbekistan. Created in 1997, the selection has gained ground in recent years and benefits from the structure of the national championship, “one of the best in Europe”.

It was 27 years ago, in 1997. The French Football Federation (FFF) launched its national men’s futsal team. Ten years later, a domestic championship was created. 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, left his post. The start of a new cycle embodied by his successor Raphaël Reynaud. After flying through the qualifications (eight wins and one draw), the latter not only qualified the Tricolores for their first World Cup, but also took them to the semi-final of the Uzbek tournament, against Argentina, Thursday October 3 . An osmosis on the floor confirmed on April 14 by a historic success – although in a friendly match – against Brazil, the queen nation of the discipline.

Convincing results explained by a change that began a few years ago. “The first season of inventory allowed us to change the game project. The idea was to build a stable environment for the players,” remembers Raphaël Reynaud, who insists on fully exploiting the potential of his men. “Most were trained in city stadiums, the fives [du football à cinq contre cinq, qui se joue sur des terrains fermés, ndlr]. My players are not necessarily able to solve all the problems in the game. The goal is therefore to rely on our dribbling, our ability to inspire. 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 youth, men and women (the selection of which was not created until 2023). “It is essential to rely on the same sporting identity to exist on an international scale. It was not a question of copying the Spaniards or others, but of building our own futsal. explains the coach. Its impact is felt well beyond the tactical aspect. “He transformed the players. With Pierre Jacky, the work was well done, but there was a sort of blockage, a glass ceiling. observes Philippe Lafrique, member of the executive committee of the FFF, and responsible for the development of the discipline. “In the locker room now, we no longer hear players complaining about the level of difference because they are not professional [le championnat français reste amateur]. Mentalities have evolved.”

If Raphaël Reynaud can pride himself on being one of the only tacticians to have beaten the Seleçao, he nonetheless remains lucid about the work carried out previously. Go back six years. Initiated by his predecessor Pierre Jacky and the FFF, a first development plan shakes up French men’s futsal in 2018. “Noël Le Graët considered that it was not normal that the gap between the world of football and futsal was so abysmal,” remembers Philippe Lafrique. From that moment on, the FFF structured the D1 teams, with the appearance of “club licenses”, which allowed sports associations to receive an annual grant of 20,000 euros. On condition that they create and develop youth sections, train safety representatives, educators, referees. The period coincides with the Blues’ very first qualification for the Euro.

Philippe Lafrique, then custodian of the system, rode the momentum: “Qualifying was unexpected so early. This allowed us to have a little visibility and to initiate this development more quickly.” The D1 is gaining in competitiveness and recruiting stars, like the Portuguese Ricardinho. “The French team owes its development to that of its championship. It continues to improve, evolve, structure itself. Our clubs progress year after year. notes Raphaël Reynaud.

“Faster than expected”

Once Philippe Diallo is elected head of the FFF at the start of 2023, the second stage of the process is launched. In the president’s plans, futsal is made a priority. “We had to keep moving forward. Philippe Diallo decided that futsal was a strong axis of the federation’s development plan, as much as women’s football.» Elite clubs now benefit from aid of 80,000 and 120,000 euros. Internally, we are even considering establishing the professional license from the second division. “In Europe, apart from Spain with its professional league and its television rights, France is the country which supports its clubs the most financially,” assures Philippe Lafrique.

And to draw the parallel: “Portugal, which is European and world champion, is five times less. D1 clubs are vital for us. It is one of the best championships in Europe. The French team benefits from this, because certain players are finally used to high-intensity matches. Qualification for the World Cup in Uzbekistan is a bonus, which will serve as both a test and an aperitif before the real objective, in two years. “We were thinking about Euro 2026, not the 2024 World Cup, indicates 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 at the UNSS (the National Union of Secondary School Sports). Which makes it the most practiced discipline at school. In clubs, the number of licensees has increased from 25,000 to 45,000. The enthusiasm is growing and it is now possible for any young person to try their luck at the Pôle France futsal in Lyon. Inspired by the Clairefontaine model, the structure was inaugurated in 2018 to compensate for the lack of training centers in France. “It allows us to take charge of the training of all young people. The results follow. Now, the under-19s qualify each time for the final phase of the European Championships. rejoices Philippe Lafrique.

French talents are now exported, like Mamadou Touré (FC Barcelona) or Amin Benslama (El Ejido). “Our credo is that our differences add up. These international experiences are positive for the group and mean that our results are currently convincing,” draws up Raphaël Reynaud. And to conclude: “The training offers talented young players to the France team. These are the results of the structuring of futsal clubs and schools. All this didn’t exist ten years ago. It was painstaking work that allowed France to become a selection that counts.”

Updated Thursday October 3, before the semi-final against Argentina.