A wave of exhilaration swept through the French team as the last point secured their astonishing 3-1 (25-20, 27-25, 22-25, 25-20) victory over China in the Round of 16. This triumph propelled them into the quarterfinals of the Women`s World Championship, a feat not achieved by France in over seventy years.
This wasn`t merely an upset; it was a powerful statement. World No. 13 France, a team that has benefited from significant development support, overcame the two-time world champions, China (ranked No. 7). This victory emphatically showcases France`s emergence as one of volleyball`s most rapidly ascending forces.
The team`s advancements have been significantly bolstered by a dedicated volleyball empowerment program, which has provided crucial backing for their training and overall development. A key aspect of this support involved the appointment of Cesar Hernandez as head coach less than a year prior. His visionary leadership, coupled with the squad`s collective growth, has been pivotal to France`s impressive rise on the international scene.
Captain Helena Cazaute, a standout performer with 22 points, attributed their monumental success to unwavering determination.
“I`m speechless. It was an unbelievable match, and I am incredibly proud of my team for fighting relentlessly from start to finish. We never surrendered. We`ve certainly made our mark on this championship, but our ambition is to continue dreaming and see how much further we can go.”
France had already demonstrated their formidable potential earlier in the competition. They comfortably advanced past pool play with identical 3-1 victories against Puerto Rico and Greece. They then showcased their resilience by taking two sets from the formidable Brazilian team, ultimately losing in a hard-fought five-set encounter.
This strong showing instilled a deep sense of self-belief within the team, preparing them to seize the moment against China and advance to the next stage.
Iman Ndiaye, the opposite spiker who contributed 20 points, highlighted the team`s fearless approach as their core strength.
“Our distinctive quality, I believe, lies in our unwavering fighting spirit and our commitment to performing at our absolute best every time we step onto the court, regardless of the opponent.”
Head coach Cesar Hernandez, who assumed his role less than a year ago, emphasized that confidence has been the bedrock of France`s advancement. He identified exceptional blocking and defensive play as critical factors in their victory over China.
“Our blocking and defensive efforts were outstanding,” Hernandez commented. “We strategically took risks and committed fully, enabling us to connect with balls and position ourselves effectively against their powerful attackers. I am incredibly proud of the players` courage in critical moments, as they consistently pushed themselves to perform at their highest level.”
He further elaborated that this profound resilience was cultivated throughout the summer, as the team diligently fostered a daily habit of self-belief.
“From the very start of the summer, I reiterated daily that they possessed the capability to compete with any team,” Hernandez revealed. “Our primary objective was to instill that belief, and now the results are clearly showing. Had we preached belief and then faltered, their confidence would have eroded.”
The coach asserted that these achievements—from their competitive experience in the VNL to challenging Brazil and ultimately defeating China—are clear indicators of the significant progress the team has made.
“We experienced substantial growth over the summer,” he noted. “The previous squad performed admirably in securing France`s spot in the VNL, which proved instrumental in our development. Moving forward, our focus remains on continuous improvement, dedicated effort, and integrating fresh talent to maintain our dynamic energy.”
Hernandez has a clear ultimate ambition, one significantly inspired by the success of France`s men`s volleyball program.
“The men`s team has achieved remarkable success as two-time Olympic champions, and we aspire to replicate that level of achievement with our women`s team. This quarterfinal berth is simply another crucial stride towards that goal.”
That vibrant energy was palpable during their match against China. Helena Cazaute, the outside hitter, spearheaded the attack with 22 points, while opposite spiker Iman Ndiaye contributed 20, and Amelie Rotar secured 18. France confidently took the first set 25-20, then demonstrated immense grit to narrowly win a captivating second set 27-25. Despite dropping the third, they regained their composure to decisively seal the match with a 25-20 score in the fourth set.
This historic victory propels them into the World Championship`s final eight, a distinction they haven`t held since their inaugural appearance in 1952, where they placed seventh out of eight teams. However, unlike then, their current standing among the quarterfinalists signifies not mere participation but a testament to their authentic competitiveness at the elite level. With every advancing step in Thailand, France is emphatically demonstrating that their ascent is no longer an aspiration but a tangible reality.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood