With the IFAF Senior World Championship just seven days away now, each day we will preview a team competing in the tournament. Here is a look at France.
About American Football in France and the French Federation of American Football (FFFA):
The first game of American football was played in France in 1919 when American soldiers who remained on French territory after the First World War played in the former Parc des Princes stadium.
The first French team Spartacus de Paris was formed in 1980 and in turn the French Federation of American Football (FFFA) was born in 1983 with nine clubs and 600 licensed players.
In 1995, the FFFA created the Elite Championship first division, which was named Casque de Diamant (translated as Helmet of Diamond). The same year, running back Thibault Giroux became the first French player to be selected for NFL Europe and played for the Barcelona Dragons. He was followed in later years by the likes of Marc Soumah, Samyr Hamoudi and Phillipe Gardent, who was named Defensive Player of the Year in NFL Europe in 2005.
In 2004, France won its first international title when the junior national team triumphed at the European Junior Championship. France successfully defended its title in 2006 and claimed third place in Sevilla, Spain, in 2008.
In 2005, the French senior national team took the Bronze Medal at the 2005 World Games in Germany. In 2007 France lost to Japan and Sweden in the group stages of the third IFAF World Championship held in Tokyo and to Korea in the fifth place playoff.
Most recently in 2010, the French Senior National team reached the European Championship Gold medal game, narrowly defeated by Germany to claim the silver medal.
Coaching Staff:
France is led by head coach Larry Legault.
A native Canadian, Coach Legault has been coaching in France for several years. He took the Les Black Panthers de Thonon les Bains club team in 2005 and in this third year at the helm, in 2007, the team finished 9-1 making it all the way to the championship game before dropping a 21-6 decision to the Flash of La Courneuve. The following year, the team had another strong season finishing 7-1 in the French championship and participated for the first time in the EuroBowl competition. Today, Legault is the Technical Director for the team.
Prior to coming to Europe, Legault coached in AAA Cegep league where he coordinated the offenses at both Vanier Colelge and Cegeup du Vieux-Montreal. From 1997 until 2003, Legault coached at Bishop University in Montreal, Quebec.
Coach Legault thoughts on the upcoming IFAF Senior World Championship:
“Over the past seven years we’ve tried to establish a sense of continuity within our senior national team program,” said Coach Legault. “The challenge lies in building a real team as opposed to simply a squad of all-stars.”
“We have to look at this as a learning experience. Going up against football nations such as Canada and Japan is a fantastic opportunity for our players to get some experience at the very highest level of international play.”
Players to Watch:
Quarterback Max Sprauel
6-0, 182, Black Panthers de Thono les Bains
Max Sprauel is the starting quarterback for the Black Panthers de Thonon les Bains. But last summer, Sprauel lead Team France to the European Championship title game.
In the opening game of the tournament, Sprauel led his team to a 14-7 victory over Sweden. He showcased his arm connecting with a wide receiver Jeremy Rabot for a 50-yard bomb for the team’s only touchdown of the game. He finished the game with 194 total yards.
In the second game against Great Britain, Sprauel took control of the entire game finishing with 305 yards on 23/33 and three touchdowns.
Defensive Back Sebastien Sejean
6-4, 231 – Spartiates d’Amiens
Sebastien Sejean is expected to be a leader on the team who has a very impressive football resume including spending some time with the NFL’s Saint Louis Rams as part of the International Player Squad Program.
He began his football career in France playing for Amiens Spartans club team. In 2002, he was selected to the French Junior National team competing at the European Junior Championships and earned MVP honors.
Sejean then went on to play college football in Canada for the University of Laval leading the team to Dunsmore Cup victories in 2005 & 2006 and claimed the Vanier Cup in 2006.
Currently, he plays in the Indoor Football League for the Reading Express.
Other Player Notes:
France has thirteen players on their 75-man roster that has previously played in an IFAF Senior World Championship including offensive lineman Steeve Guersent, running back Laurent Marceline, running back Sandino Octobre, linebacker Nicolas Prevost and defensive back Sebastien Sejean who all played in the 2003 and 2007 IFAF Senior World Championship.
Complete List:
LB – Cédric Cotar – 2003
QB – Paul Durand – 2007
OL – Jean Philippe Eldin – 2007
OL – Steeve Guersent – 2003 & 2007
WR – Jeremy Larrogue – 2007
LB – Arnaud LePretre – 2007
RB – Laurent Marceline – 2003 & 2007
WR – Bounouar Mellak – 2007
LB – Baptiste Noir – 2007
RB – Sandino Octobre – 2003 & 2007
LB – Nicolas Prevost – 2003 & 2007
DB – Sébastien Sejean – 2003 & 2007
Game Schedule for France:
Saturday, July 9: France vs. Canada Graz, Austria
Monday, July 11: Japan vs. France Graz, Austria
Wednesday, July 13: Austria vs. France Graz, Austria
Placement Games July 15 & 16 in Vienna, Austria
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