01/04/2021 11:00
Mathis and Hilir Henno ready to follow in the footsteps of dad Hubert
CEV U17 Volleyball European Championship 2021 - Men
Vibo Valentia, Italy, April 1, 2021. Many times already, we have come to see that Volleyball is some sort of a family affair. That very much applies to the Henno family as well. Hubert, a legendary libero player, now coaching French top team TOURS VB, is a household name in international Volleyball. His sons Hilir and Mathis are now hoping to emulate his successes, starting their own Volleyball journey with the French youth national teams.
Mathis is currently competing at the WEVZA qualifier for this year’s U17 European Championship, which got underway yesterday in Vibo Valentia, Italy. The eventual winners of this tournament will secure their participation in the final round of the continental championship scheduled for July 10 to 17 in Albania.
On Wednesday, Mathis, playing as an outside hitter, scored eight points, as France routed the Netherlands 3-0 in the first match of Pool A, where the young ‘Bleus’ are due to play Belgium as well. The young Henno seems to have inherited his dad’s qualities, since he registered an impressive 54% of positive receptions in the matchup against the Netherlands.
Mathis Henno in action on Wednesday during the match between France and the Netherlands at the #EuroVolleyU17M qualifier in Vibo Valentia, Italy
This does not come as a surprise since his dad Hubert was one of the world’s best libero players of his generation, with a resume including, among many other accolades, two Italian national league titles with Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO and Lube Banca Marche MACERATA. The eldest son of Hubert Henno, Hilir, has been playing for the youth national team of France as well.
Volleyball truly is a family affair since mum Alketa is a former player as well. However, as Hubert Henno has emphasised, he does not want to put any pressure on his sons – who nevertheless have raised growing expectations already. Time will tell us where this journey will take both Hilir and Mathis… For now, Mathis will hope to secure a ticket to his mom’s homeland, Albania, where Alketa was born and where this year’s #EuroVolleyU17M is due to take place later this summer.
Pictured above: Alketa and Hubert Henno with their sons Hilir and Mathis (photo courtesy NR)
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