The French volleyball team has qualified for the Euro final despite the absence of several key players, setting up a match against Poland on Saturday, September 26, in Milan. This marks a significant achievement for the team, which has not won a European title since 2015 and now has the opportunity to secure a spot in the 2028 Olympics. The team, under coach Andrea Giani, defeated Finland 3-1 in the semi-finals, a contrast to their previous encounter at the World Championships last year. The French team, with only three players from the Paris 2024 team, initially struggled in the Nations League between June and July but has since shown improvement. Antoine Brizard, the new captain, expressed satisfaction with the team's progress, stating that the project was "madly believed in" and that the team has taken shape as intended. Theo Faure, a spiker who was already present at Paris 2024, has seen a significant increase in performance, averaging nearly 17 points per match. Mathis Henno, a 19-year-old attacker and son of former French libero Hubert Henno, has emerged as a key player, scoring 21 points with 70% efficiency in attack during the semi-finals. Henno mentioned that he initially faced pressure but found solutions with the help of his teammates. Simon Magnin, a 22-year-old middle blocker, has moved from a substitute role to a starter, and Francois Huetz, 26, has also made his mark. Andrea Giani highlighted the importance of the veterans in guiding the younger players, noting that there is healthy competition among the middle blockers, with Stephen Boyer, an Olympic champion, providing experience from the bench. Antoine Brizard praised the team's cohesion and the role of substitutes, stating that they "bring something" to the team. The French team has focused on building a cohesive group, avoiding tourist activities and instead engaging in team-building exercises such as board and card games. Giani encouraged players to avoid distractions like social media and family messages, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical preparation. The team has received support messages from veterans who stayed home, which the players feel are with them. The qualification for the upcoming Olympics now hinges on a single victory in the final against Poland. If they lose, the points accumulated during their European journey will still be valuable for the world ranking. Antoine Brizard acknowledged that while the team has made progress, the journey ahead remains challenging, and consistency is crucial.