Iconic captain of the French women's team , Robin Haziza looks back on an intense and successful week during the  2025 European Championships , marked by the silver medal won by the Blues. Between collective satisfaction, the group's development and future prospects, he shares his lucid and passionate view of this European campaign.

A perfect week?

“Yes, a perfect week… and even ten days!”

We started our campaign at  FIP of Lyon , with training sessions and essential group moments before an international competition. In our group,  Italy  was clearly the big favorite. After two serious encounters against  England  et  Germany , we have ultimately warded off the curse by winning this third decisive match which, in the past, had often been fatal for us.

We had prepared this meeting very well and I knew it was possible if everyone believed in it. It's a  beautiful symbol  that this match was won by  Lucile , who lost in the deciding match at the last European Championship, associated with  Louise , the “rookie” of the group, who played a very big match.

Robin Haziza: “We come out with our heads held high against Italy”

The hardest part then was to  remobilize quickly  : beating Italy didn't give us a medal, only a place in the semi-finals, with the possibility of a dream final. This time we were favorites against a  dangerous Belgian team , who had a superb campaign after coming out of qualifying. We held our own.

And then, the  final , it was a bonus. Our European Championship was already a success. We put our heart into annoying the people as much as possible.  best players in the world . We have nothing to be ashamed of, simply  continue to work even more  to get closer to it.

Do you have the best team you've ever had today?

“A team that arrives without physical problems and is mentally healthy, that changes everything!”

We were finished  bronze medalists  during the last Euro, and the momentum was a little “spoiled” by a match lost by three points at the World Cup. Without these difficulties, I am convinced that we would have beaten Portugal to reach a World Cup semi-final.

What will the French do at the 2024 World Championships?

This team is  forte , yes! And the contribution of  Louise Bahurel , which evolves at its own pace and grows every day, has helped us a lot, particularly in  favorable playing conditions  to her qualities: her warmth and her ability to smash. Now it's up to her to want to go higher, giving herself the means to progress every day. The potential is there.

I said it before leaving:  all players play more on the tour  and it shows. It's a necessary step to progress and compete with the best in Europe.

The girls who have invested the most this year  deserve their medal  : they went for it with their hearts, with true unity. An international competition is not an FIP or a tournament. Premier Padel : There is  a team spirit , a collective dimension, an extra touch of audacity.

The  Belgians  are proof of this: they achieve incredible performances without necessarily playing the circuit, carried by the team spirit. This is a dimension that must be kept in mind in these competitions.

Robin Haziza Coaching France Euro 2025 team
FIP Credit

Did the playing conditions and the new format convince you?

“The conditions were great, it must be said.”

The three courts in the arena were perfect, with a  heat  which helped us against Italy, but which could have caused us difficulties against Belgium. It all depends on the opponent's qualities and our ability to  adapt the game .

On the  new format , I find that rather very good. A  Final 8  promotes big games and allows the best teams, like Spain, to play fewer games without stakes. This adds spice. All that's missing is the  No-Ad , and we will vibrate even more!

The fact that only the  semi-finals  are disputed brings an additional stake. It is true that it is sometimes  disadvantageous for boys , but it makes the competition more readable and more spectacular. The stands were  full in the final , and it was a  amazing experience  for all the players, not always used to this type of atmosphere.

Ginier / Haziza French team retires Euro 2025

What are your greatest satisfactions in this group?

"I don't want to take out any particular player."

All of them played an important role:  Alix Collombon , undisputed holder, but also  Camille (Sireix) and  sousou  (Charlotte Soubrié), who were impeccable despite less playing time. This is undoubtedly  the end of an era , and it will soon be necessary  prepare the next generation , but this team was  beautiful to watch play  et  great to accompany  the whole week.

Jessica Ginier, a silver medal for her final chapter in the French team

A little personal revenge?

“The past? We can talk about it.”

Trois  European Championships  as captain:  two silver medals and one bronze medal . This is already a very good result. Certainly, there have been  a failed world cup in Dubai , a semi-final lost in the last match against Italy, and this famous duel against Portugal at the last World Cup where  Lea  (Godallier)  and Carla  (Touly) were three points away from a medal. This match was much talked about...

But I'll tell you something: we finished second this year, and yet we're light years away from being the best.
There are about thirty Spanish girls who play better than us. And at the same time, we are far from being the weakest when we lose to Portugal at the 2024 World Cup.

We simply need to put a little more measure into the results and the manner.

La  FFT  works, the  project is long term , and the opening of the  CNE  (National Training Center) will, I am sure, allow for great ambitions. Today, our team remains  80% composed of amateurs , who give their all, sometimes successfully, sometimes less so.

After the World Cup, we have  exchanged a lot with the girls  and with  Alexia Déchaume , whom I thank for his trust. The arrival of  Baptiste  (Bénétoux), this year, was also precious: it allowed  better monitoring of players  and brought me  complementary expertise  throughout the competition.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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