The players are looking forward to the new floorball season in France and the first matches will be played in October. Josselin Debraux, responsible for media at the French Floorball Federation tells about the season favourites and preparations in France.
How is the preparation for the new season going in France?
– The preparation is going well in the 50 clubs we have in France. Players are impatient to start this new season after the big break we had. Some uncertainties are still in the air for the schedule because of the pandemic but anti-covid protocol is well respected all over the country. This season we have two more clubs and we welcome Dunkerque (Hauts de France, northern France) and Metz (Lorraine, Eastern France).
When are the main leagues scheduled to start?
– The Women’s league starts on 24th of October in Paris with a derby. The Men’s first league starts in Amiens, Picardie and in Rouen Normandy on 3rd of October. We have a women’s league, a youth league and three men’s leagues. We had a first women’s friendly tournament in Quiévrechin, where Panam won against Lyon 2-1 in the final.
Are there any winner favourites and major changes in the main leagues/among the teams?
– As Barça and Real Madrid remain favourites as always in the Spanish La Liga, Panam United (Paris) and Lyon will be the two big favourites for this year. Panam is looking for a fourth title in a row, but Lyon welcomes back Pauline Meneust who comes back from her season in Södertälje, Allsvenskan. For Men’s top league, the reigning champion Besançon has so many gifted young players who join the team every year that they are always favourites. But as usual, IFK Paris, the oldest club in the country and Annecy Les Trolls will be in the fight as well.
Interesting transfers, player news or other facts?
– Young players are willing to take the power in both leagues. Les dahuts du lac (women) counts lot of young renegade players who will be the future of the league. For men, Besançon is the symbol of youthfulness in the country. The top transfer is previously mentioned Pauline Meneust, French center who returns from Sweden to Lyon FC.
How to follow the top leagues?
– Two new media are available:
- Application “Caen Floorball” with all the results from all french leagues online very quickly: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.caen.floorball&hl=fr
- Instagram to follow especially the men national team: www.instagram.com/ffloorball_men
More information available on www.floorball.fr
The IFF has asked all top 20 countries to provide a 2020-21 season preview of their top leagues. More season previews will be published on the IFF website soon. If you want your floorball league or development stories to be featured on the IFF channels, you can send your story to media(at)floorball.sport!
