Raphael Corre, the captain and setter of NVB, has been bringing joy to the Azurean club for 3 seasons now. He agreed to reflect with us on his team’s good start to the season, their defeats in the finals, his future, and the “team Yavbou” (nickname for the French volleyball team).
Maestro of the attack and team captain, an excellent setter is the sine qua non for a volleyball team’s success. Well, NVB seems to have found all these qualities in Raphael Corre.
Indeed, since his arrival in 2013 (from Rennes), the Azurean club has always reached the finals but has always stumbled at the last step. And this season again, the NVB presents a very good record. Only 3 defeats in 10 matches. Maybe this year will be the right one?
Nice Premium: For the past 2 years, you have missed promotion to Ligue A. What has been lacking each time to take that step?
Raphael Corre: Perhaps a touch of success. Last year we missed out on our final (lost 3 sets to 0 against Beauvais). We were disappointed, and it was a huge letdown at the time. But it passed quickly because we weren’t at the level we were two years ago to compete in that match. Two years ago we lost to Tourcoing 3 sets to 2. Despite the disappointment, we managed to rebuild a team last year to reach the final, and this season that’s still our goal. After that, we’ll see if we’re capable of moving up to Ligue A. Even though there are quite a few good teams, we’re aware that with the group we have, we’re capable of doing great things.
Nice Premium: If you miss promotion again this year, will you still be in Nice next season?
R.C: I don’t know. My contract ends this year; it’s a bit too early to talk about it. It’s true that I have personal goals and I want to progress. But I can’t tell you whether I want to stay or not in Nice next year. For now, I’m focused on the current season. And I hope to help the club advance.
Nice Premium: In any case, your performances within the club have not gone unnoticed. Last summer you were called up for the first time to the French national team; is wearing the blue jersey part of your long-term goals?
R.C: It was already a pride to have been called up. It’s up to me now to continue working, to progress to be able to claim a spot. I’m not setting any limits for myself! I already discussed it with my coach in Nice; I know he expects a lot from me.
Nice Premium: The French team just missed a great opportunity to qualify for the Rio Olympics ten days ago in Berlin. Do you think they’ll manage to qualify in May?
R.C: I think they’ll make it. For me, it’s the best team in the world right now. There’s synergy within the group. Sure, there are different personalities, but everyone has known each other since the age of 15. We were all already playing together when we were at the national center in Montpellier, and it’s true that we’ve maintained very strong friendships. And I think that helps them on the field. For me, it’s the team that offers the most beautiful game in the world today. Of course, there are very impressive teams like the United States, Brazil, or Russia, which recently defeated France. But those teams rely more on their physicality, while the Blues are based on their teamwork.
by Désiré Teivao
