Handball World Cup: “Bring back a medal”, the message of Pardin, injured, to the Blues

After the defeat of the Blues on Friday against Sweden in the semi-final of the hanball World Cup, Wesley Pardin is disappointed for his teammates who remained in Egypt. Returned to Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône) ten days ago, after his serious injury against Switzerland, the goalkeeper of the France team, who had time to shine against Norway , will be operated Thursday operated on the ligaments of a knee, with an unavailability of at least six months. From home, he sends his encouragement to the rest of the team in Cairo, which still has 3rd place to go (2:30 p.m., BeIN Sports 3).

“To all of you, I want to tell you that I am very proud of our career,” says the 31-year-old Martinique. We have all been able to face all the difficulties in this new challenge. The internship in Créteil, the two matches against Serbia, the departure from Paris for Cairo, all this made it possible to create very strong links in this France group. It is thanks to all these moments that we have come so far. Don’t let go, because it’s not over. I dare not ask if I am entitled to a medal. If that is the case ( Editor’s note: the answer is yes … ), bring it back to me in gold, please! It would be the greatest reward for me. “

“I knew straight away that it was over for me”

Wesley Pardin remembers precisely this Monday, January 18, when he had to leave his partners following a shock with a Swiss player: “I knew immediately that it was over for me. At the time, I did not have pain. I was more afraid than anything else! And then I whined. They were tears of disappointment, I thought about all the sacrifices I had made to get there. Damn, I was on top! In the bus that brings the players back to the hotel after the match, he takes out a piece of paper and a pen and notes the date on which he could perhaps play again: August 18, exactly seven months later.

He also knows that he will not be alone in his misfortune: “The staff and the players, you were there for me. Thank you for your support. Mika (Michaël Guigou), you were already doing everything you need to do, before you left. Nedim (Remili), thank you for your attention to the hotel and for pushing my wheelchair! Even you, Luka (Karabatic), who doesn’t speak much, expressed your thought in the fairest way ensuring that I will come back stronger. It warmed my heart. “

“Say hello to the Spanish goalkeepers! “

The Aixois will watch the match against Spain on television: “I know their two goalkeepers well,” smiles the Frenchman. Say hello to them, and ask them to make fewer stops than usual! “These opponents, Wesley Pardin does not think to find them at the Tokyo Olympics if France makes the trip:” It can be playable but the timing seems a bit tight. I would have to be fully operational, which will be very difficult… ”

If his leg says no to him, his head, on the other hand, does not listen to him: “I am currently taking advantage of the pre-operation to save time. It involves muscle strengthening on the upper body. The club, the physiotherapist, Thierry Anti (his coach), my surgeon, all take very good care of me. The goalkeeper coach has even hired a wheelchair for me! My philosophy is not to cut myself off from my routine. “