France attacked a decisive day this Saturday with the aim of a bronze medal.
The disappointment was still palpable on their faces after a cruel defeat against the Swedes in the semi-finals the day before.
The day was also decisive in the open category, where Jean Michel Pequery and Sébastien Corbelli competed in the +45 final. It was a nice fight against a Spanish team, but they finally lost in 3 sets, 6/4 in the 3rd set.
There was also a defeat for 3rd place in +50 for Frédéric Loriedo and Bertrand Cappelle, who lost 10/7 in the Super tie-break against an Italian pair.
Our French however led 6/3 3/0 and even had an unconverted match point. It was therefore necessary to remobilize the group a few hours later to defeat Portugal.
Simon Boissé, the captain of the French men's team, gives us his feelings as the match approaches: "I knew that the group was capable of absorbing defeats, I had more doubts about the physical freshness and mental. We discussed all together so that everyone could position themselves whether or not they felt capable of playing.
The +50 players gave France a first point with a remarkable performance from Cédric Carité on the left and Frédéric Loriedo disciplined and aggressive on the right. A change of sides from the day before which paid off for a 6/3 7/6 win.
On the other hand, the +40 team was severely beaten 6/2 6/3 without really having managed to get into the game. The sustained defeats of the last few days have weighed on the balance of the Boissé/Armagnac pair. It was therefore up to the two titans Sébastien Corbelli and Jean Michel Pequery to win this decisive point.
What a performance, 6/3 6/0! They masterfully locked out the Portuguese side, totally distraught at being swept away like this.
France therefore leaves with its head held high with a place on the podium of this senior + European championship, alongside Sweden and the winners, Spain, with the World Championship in sight in 2024.