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France eager to kick off IFAF World Championship challenge
The French Men’s National Team has spent five days holding training camp at the University of Cincinnati, acclimatizing to the six-hour time difference between its home country and the United States as the team prepares for the IFAF World Championship.
Offensive lineman Olivier Bordin of Cougars St Ouen L’aumône gave his thoughts on the team’s progress via the French federation website FFFA.org: “It has been four very intense days. It started Friday with shoulder pads and helmets with much intensity, strength and power from all the players in our training camp.
“Preparing for the IFAF World Championship requires a lot of mental and physical practice, and I believe we are managing this well.”
SEE ALSO: Follow the French team updates here
The challenge for any national team, whose opportunities to prepare as a unit are limited, is to make instant progress. Bordin is confident that under head coach Patrick Esume, Les Bleus are on the right track for this week’s opener against Brazil. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
“The first days of training were complicated with many games to review on film. It all starts to come together,” Bordin said. “You begin to feel really good about what we are trying to do, and now, it is more about focusing on the games.”
Facing Brazil in the first-ever meeting between the two countries will be the reward for having qualified through the European Championships, months of preparation and the challenging camp in Cincinnati. It also provides a welcome change from going up against the French defense in practice.
“I’m impatient to play in the match on Thursday and face opponents other than my teammates,” Bordin said. “It is going to be fun.
“We will prepare for Brazil as if it was the best team in the world. We do not know much about them, but we will not underestimate them. We will play at our highest level, hoping that our level is much better than theirs.”
CLICK HERE: For more photos from France’s training camp at the University of Cincinnati
