Florian Bruzzo had a lot of interesting insights to share as he joined us on the Total Waterpolo Podcast. The head coach of the French men’s national water polo team takes us behind the scenes of his transformative journey with the team.
With the fervor of “Paris 2024” sweeping through the nation, Bruzzo’s leadership has played an instrumental role in steering the French men’s national water polo team toward unprecedented development. However, Bruzzo himself isn’t getting carried away, stating, “We haven’t won anything. Should we be proud? No! We are working. I know that many coaches and directors are tirelessly working to elevate the importance of water polo. That’s the crux of it. I am proud of these guys and their commitment, but it’s not enough. We need to continue uniting the federation and clubs to elevate the level of water polo.” Although a medal has yet to be won, the team’s progress has been nothing short of remarkable.
Last summer, the French team achieved victory over Serbia, a long-standing powerhouse in water polo. This triumph marked a pivotal turning point and underscored the significant progress Bruzzo and his team have made. A 6th place finish at the World Championships further highlights the upward trajectory of French water polo.
Bruzzo’s connection with the team runs deep, as he once coached the French women’s national water polo team. His transition to the men’s side of the sport brought fresh perspectives and strategies that have ignited a new era of growth and competitiveness.
Discussing the responsibility he feels leading his team to the Paris Olympics, Bruzzo emphasises, “The results of the national team contribute to the development of the sport in France. Therefore, it’s a tremendous responsibility for me to achieve the best possible results, as I understand that such outcomes can significantly impact the involvement and investment from private and public partners in the water polo program.”
In the podcast, Bruzzo delves into the challenges faced by the team, including limited access to training facilities. He highlights a startling fact: France lags behind in terms of square meters of water per capita, a critical aspect for a sport that relies on aquatic training. This scarcity of resources has compelled Bruzzo and his team to think innovatively and explore new avenues for enhancing recovery and performance.
“We are exploring various methods, including video analysis, individual assessments, blood testing after each game to monitor recovery, evaluating the quality of sleep, and integrating everything,” Bruzzo reveals, emphasising the team’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge approaches to enhance performance and recovery.
The podcast episode also sheds light on Bruzzo’s coaching philosophy and his perspective on the role of foreign players in French water polo. He emphasises the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to foreign players, highlighting that the contributions of players like Ivan Krapic, Andrija Prlainovic, and Alex Bowen extend beyond the pool and positively impact the entire water polo ecosystem.
Florian Bruzzo’s journey has been characterised by determination, vision, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Bruzzo himself is confident that he is the right person to lead Les Bleus, explaining, “I now feel comfortable in this position. Being a national team coach is a distinct endeavour, differing significantly from club coaching. You need to be acquainted with all the systems, clubs, the country’s culture, the culture of each club, and the directors, in order to determine how we can progress and what value you can bring to them. I believe that in the current water polo environment in France, I am at ease.”
As the French men’s national water polo team continues to make waves on the international stage, this episode of the Total Waterpolo Podcast provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into the mind of a coach who is driving change and propelling a nation toward greater heights in the world of water polo.
Find all episodes of the Total Waterpolo Podcast here
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