Montpellier HSC VB, making their debut as rookies in the CEV Champions League – Men, are competing in Round 4 for the first time in their club`s history, alongside formidable opponents like JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel, VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, and Vojvodina NS Seme NOVI SAD. Despite having suffered four losses in the competition so far, Montpellier’s fans have reason to be optimistic about their team`s future, largely thanks to emerging talents such as Théo Faure, who has proven to be a pivotal player for his squad this season.
Théo has participated in all four matches played to date, spanning 16 sets, and has amassed an impressive 75 points, averaging 4.69 points per set. This performance places him 16th in the current Best Scorers rankings and makes him Montpellier’s leading scorer in the tournament thus far. His excellent form extends to the French A League, where he began the season by earning an MVP award in the Supercup match, which Montpellier won against CVB 52. The young French opposite hitter also leads his team in domestic league scoring, having registered 226 points across 13 games.
It`s time to get acquainted with Théo Faure, as he is poised to become the next major sensation in the world of volleyball.
The Genesis of a Career
Théo Faure embarked on his volleyball journey at the age of 11, joining friends for casual games. Prior to fully dedicating himself to volleyball, he had explored various other sports. Influenced by his family, Théo shared:
My parents are also volleyball players, and during holidays, I often played Beach Volleyball.
Théo Faure
Transition to Professionalism
A notable aspect of Théo`s career trajectory is that he initially played as an outside hitter before transitioning to his current professional role. For the 23-year-old Frenchman, the path to professionalism unfolded quite organically. It began with the profound feelings and excitement he experienced during youth tournaments, competing for his team and securing significant victories. He reflected on that period:
At that time, you don’t yet grasp the full meaning of playing volleyball professionally, or what it truly entails to build a career.
Théo Faure
A pivotal moment in his decision-making process was his admission into the training center in Toulouse.
The CEV Champions League Experience
Faure`s move to Montpellier in 2021 coincided with the club`s participation in Europe`s most prestigious club competition, the CEV Champions League. For Théo, this presents an invaluable opportunity for growth and experience. He remarked:
We are facing some of the elite teams and players in Europe. This is an incredibly high-level competition, and it undeniably provides immense motivation to learn and gain experience for one`s development as a player. It`s truly rewarding, despite our four losses so far. Nevertheless, we still have two crucial home games against Friedrichshafen and Novi Sad, and our firm objective is to win both these matches and progress to the CEV Cup. We are not ready for our European campaign to conclude just yet.
Théo Faure
Standing at 196 cm, Faure has emerged as the team`s top scorer in the tournament. While pleased with his individual performance, he admits to a degree of frustration regarding the team`s results.
Challenges and Ambitions in the French A League
As the reigning French champions, Montpellier began their domestic season auspiciously by winning the Supercup. However, they subsequently encountered a challenging period. Théo explained:
We secured the title last year and kicked off this season with a Supercup victory. Following that, we experienced some difficult stretches marked by injuries, a common challenge for teams competing in both national and European tournaments. Our immediate goal now is to solidify our position among the top teams and enter the Playoffs from the most advantageous standing.
Théo Faure
Inspiration and Future Aspirations
Faure expresses immense pride in the recent accomplishments of the French national team, identifying them as his primary source of inspiration. He enthusiastically stated:
What they are achieving is truly amazing!
Théo Faure
For Théo, being recalled to this esteemed national team (having previously participated in the VNL 2021), coupled with the ambition of winning championships, represents his ultimate professional goal.
Finley Blackwood