Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-retina-104×96Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48
  • News
  • CroMasters 2024
  • SHOP NOW
  • Livescore
    • Champions League
      • Champions League 2023/24
      • Women’s Champions League 2023/24
      • Champions League 2022/23
    • AUSTRIA 🇦🇹
      • Bundesliga Women
      • Bundesliga Men
      • Supercup
      • Cup
      • Regionalliga Ost
      • U-21 Women
      • U-19
      • U-17
      • U-15
      • U-13
      • U-12
      • U-11
    • SLOVENIA 🇸🇮
      • Slovenian championship 2022/23
      • Slovenian Cup 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic league 2022/23
      • Nordic League 2021/22
      • Nordic Women’s League 2022
    • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • BWIPA
      • Next Generation 2023 – Men
      • Next Generation 2023 – Women
      • Barcelona Masters Cup
        • 30+ Women
        • 40+ Women
        • 30+ Men
        • 40+ Men
        • 50+ Men
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus
      • HaBaWaBa Easter U12
      • HaBaWaBa Easter U10
    • Tournaments
      • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 “30+”
      • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 “40+”
      • Budva Masters 2023
      • Duisburg 98 Cup 2023
      • Tintilinić 2023
      • Ruhr Games 2023
      • Sunčana Kapica 2023
      • Total Waterpolo Trophy U-15
      • Montenegro Cup 2022 (U16)
  • National
    • Hungarian League
    • French League
    • Spanish League
  • International
    • Tokyo 2020 Olympic Water Polo
    • World Championships
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Fukuoka 2023 Men
        • Fukuoka 2023 Women
      • WC U20 Men 2023 – Romania
      • Budapest 2022 Men
      • Budapest 2022 Women
      • Gwangju 2019
      • Budapest 2017
    • European Championships
      • Split 2022 Men
      • Split 2022 Women
      • Budapest 2020
      • Barcelona 2018
    • Other
      • World Cup 2023
      • WL Belgrade 2019
      • World Cup – Berlin 2018
      • Junior WC Prague 2021
      • Junior EC Podgorica 2022
  • Total Player Award
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
✕

Mehdi Marzouki: Strasbourg was just beginning of our road

August 27, 2022

Mehdi Marzouki (FRA) Photo by Slobodan Sandic/WPF of Serbia

The favorites for medals at the Men’s European Championships in Split will be, as usual, the “Big Seven” countries (Hungary, Spain, Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Italy and Greece). Since 2008, when Montenegro debuted as an independent country, almost all of these seven teams have been in the Top 8. Croatia finished 9th in 2012, Greece took 11th place in 2008 and finished 9th two years after. But, all seven teams have been regular participants in the quarterfinal matches for years.

We spoke to many about possible surprises. And the answers are the same – France is the most serious contender to upset some of the seven favorites. These answers aren’t surprising. The French invest a lot in water polo. They prepare for the Paris Olympics very committed.

The first fruits of that work came this summer. France finished in 4th place in the World League. For the first time after more than 80 years, the French advanced to the semifinal of a major competition.

They have to be satisfied with their performances at the World League Super Final and 4th place, but a medal was so close.

“It’s always hard to be satisfied with 4th place since you lost a medal match. Besides, we were very close to the final. We narrowly lost to the USA in the semifinals (the Americans secured a win in the last minute – Ed.). But, we can be satisfied because we showed a good face and we showed the way we want to go. We played well in Strasbourg, but it was just the beginning. We have to keep this tournament in our mind, to keep going in this way and continue proving that we can make big things until the Paris Games and at the Olympic tournament., Mehdi Marzouki, one of the most experienced French players, told Total Waterpolo.

France didn’t play at the World Championships, but it started the preparations at the same time as the other teams, in June. Before the summer, the national team gathered several times during the clubs’ season.

“This summer has been very long. We had hard preparations. Then, we played in the World League. After a short break, we continued to work and, in the end, played six matches in six days in the tournaments in Budapest and Belgrade. It was very tough.”

Marzouki believes that his team can show more in Split than in Strasbourg. France has improved its shape.

“I hope we will be in very good shape in Split, better than in Strasbourg. After all, the main target for this summer wasn’t Strasbourg, but the Split tournament. We were focused on the European Championships. The schedule of the European Championships differs from the World League Super Final. We played six games in six days in Strasbourg. We will have a day off between the games in Split and more time to recover and prepare for each match.”

The team with head coach Bruzzo and assistant coach Kobescak Photo by Slobodan Sandic/WPF of Serbia

France’s rivals in the group stage will be host Croatia, Olympic silver medalist Greece and Malta.

“The group is  very tough and crosses with the group where Hungary and Serbia play. France isn’t a favorite, but we will play each match to win and want to do our best. We will try to finish at least in 3rd place and continue the tournament in the knockout round.”

The team is highly motivated.

“We are looking forward to a big competition in Croatia, the land of water polo. We are really excited because we will play a tournament in a big Arena, a game against the host will probably be something special. As I said, we will do our best in each match.”

Which teams are the biggest favorites?

“It’s never easy to predict the outcome, but this time it is even more challenging to make a list of favorites. The season has been very long. Much depends on how the teams managed to recover, reach the desired level of shape and avoid injuries. Many teams won’t come with their best players. We all have to be fresh in our minds and bodies, which isn’t easy at the end of this special summer.”

Roster

Goalkeepers: Clement Dubois, Hugo Fontani. Field players: Emil Bjorch, Alexandre Bouet, Charles Canonne, David Caumette, Ugo Crousillat, Andrea De Nardi, Denis Guerin, Enzo Khasz, Roman Marion Vernoux, Mehdi Marzouki, Remi Saudadier, Pierre-Frederic Vampeperstraete, Thomas Vernoux.

More articles about the European Championships

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

Nikola Jaksic scored six goals today Photo by Slobodan Sandić

September 26, 2023

Two thrillers open new Champions League season; title holder and runner-up with no mercy


Read more

Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

September 26, 2023

Champions League and Euro Cup for ladies: Demanding tasks for Olympiacos


Read more

Photo by Krsto Vulovic/VK Primorac

September 26, 2023

LEN Euro Cup draw: Hungarian “Group of Death”


Read more

Featured Projects

01 - 06 July, 2024 - Limited Availability

Book NowLearn More

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US

Learn More

Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • 0
    Two thrillers open new Champions League season; title holder and runner-up with no mercy
    September 26, 2023
  • 0
    Champions League and Euro Cup for ladies: Demanding tasks for Olympiacos
    September 26, 2023
  • 0
    LEN Euro Cup draw: Hungarian “Group of Death”
    September 26, 2023
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
Total Waterpolo Arena

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT