The World Games are in a way the “antechamber” of the Olympic Games. A major international competition bringing together sports disciplines that are not, or no longer, on the official program of the Olympic Games. This is the case of roller-hockey which always offers great opportunities for medals to France, both for men and women. For this 2022 edition, which runs until July 17 in Birmingham (Alabama, United States), this will be no exception. However, only the French men’s team participates.
“Our goal is to be champions” (B. Bouchut)
The qualifying matches start this Friday, while the final is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12. During the last edition in 2017, in Wroclaw, the “Polish Venice”, the Blues were beaten in the final by the Czechs (5-1).
The Vierzonnais Baptiste Bouchut is one of the four survivors of this silver team. “I remember the frustration of having lost in the final, but it remains a competition apart, he specifies. It’s a notch below the Mondial in terms of organization and comfort, but the level is stratospheric. In the roster of the teams opposite, there is only big! »
Virginie Rodier succeeds Pierre-Yvon Gomez as president of the Vierzon Predators
This time, the tricolor international will find in front of him his club teammate and current Czech world champion, Jan Vyoral, absent in 2017. But, for him, the favorite is none other than the United States. A team that the Blues will find in pool, with Canada and Colombia. However, it will absolutely be necessary to finish among the first two to then integrate the last four. “It’s up to us to be very good, because Colombia is strong and it skates very quickly, specifies the scorer from Vierzon. The Canadians offer rough play and are steeped in talent, just like the Americans who will be keen to win at home. Despite everything, our objective is to be champions. »
Within this rejuvenated French team, Baptiste Bouchut is a manager. But he will not be out of place, because he will also find many players with whom he has already played in selection or club, in Caen.
Change of coach, international recruits … Movement among the Predators of Vierzon
“It’s a team that doesn’t worry about who is in front, but it still takes old people to frame the free electrons, he explains. There are good young people arriving, like Louis Allo (French champion this season with Villeuve, editor’s note) who is only 19 years old. They bring this ardor and this carelessness that we sometimes need. “In the preparation match, the Blues beat Switzerland twice (5-0 and 6-1).
Waiting for the World Roller Games
For once, these world games will not be the only major international event of the season. The World Championship will take place in October and November in Argentina, as part of the World Roller Games. It’s a safe bet that the two Vierzonnais will once again be in the game. Especially since the selections will be able to retain two additional players.
Blues
Guardians.Damien Lafourcade (Caen), Sebastien Pasquier (Anglet).
Defenders.Elliot Machy and Lambert Hamon (Grenoble), Maxime Langlois (Garges), Valentin Gonzalez, Théo Faucherand and Théo Fontanille (Caen).
Forwards.Baptiste Bouchut (Vierzon), Louis Allo and Karl Gabillet (Villeneuve), Johan Kerkhove (Grenoble), Benoît Ladonne (Anglet), Enzo Renou (Caen).
The other selections.Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, United States.
Philip Roche
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