For the first participation in its history in a World Cup, the French futsal team is doing well. The Blues challenge Paraguay this Monday in the quarter-final. Three days after their success in the eighth against Thailand (5-2), they have the opportunity to snatch a ticket for the last four. And remember the new weight of France in the world hierarchy.
“Who would have thought it? Maybe we were the only ones,” slips French goalkeeper Francis Lokoka on the French Football Federation website. The 31-year-old also measures the potential of his team: “We are really unpredictable. It’s the word that suits us because we are capable of incredible feats. This adventure is important for French futsal. »
“We expect a very tough match”
According to him, the match against Paraguay will be “boiling hot”. He also fears this rather tough opponent. “We are expecting a very tough match. We already had the opportunity to play against Paraguay last season (defeats 1-3 and 3-5 in June 2023). This is a team that is used to the final stages of the World Cup. »
The South Americans will therefore have the benefit of experience. The Blues that of freshness, of enthusiasm, perhaps. To get there, the team coached by Raphaël Reynaud showed itself to be conquerors against Guatemala (6-3) then Venezuela (7-3) during the group stages. Before dropping the last match against Iran (1-4), where she showed little desire, settling for second place in the group… Which offered her a more affordable picture.
The quarter-final of the Futsal World Cup between France and Paraguay takes place on Monday at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast on the L’Équipe channel.
