The French handball team, European champion in January, meets this week in Montpellier for two matches against Argentina (Thursday) and Egypt (Saturday). The opportunity to take stock with the coach.
A month and a half ago, you became European champions. Looking back and beyond the title, what do you remember from this tournament?
Beyond the title, it’s complicated. It is an integral part of our adventure. This was the ambition with which we began this European campaign. I remember the joy and pride of having managed to be there for this project, the commitment of the athletes, of the team, to find the path towards this title of European champion which had no longer fallen in our business for over 10 years.
A week of reunions and work
The Continents Trophy marks the start of preparation for the Olympic Games. What are you expecting from this week in Montpellier?
First of all, it’s a week of reunion. The time has been relatively short since the Euro. This is also the time to debrief the competition cold. And to look forward to the second part of the season with these Games which are coming and which will now punctuate all the sequences which separate us from the start of the tournament. We will work and consider all the areas of development that this team still needs to continue to improve.
You have selected an expanded group (23 players). To remedy a possible injury?
We started preparing for this Olympic season at 23. We then made choices and narrowed down the team. Today, we want to reaffirm our confidence in this extended group. And make sure to bring together all the resources, including those who have experienced the European adventure from further afield. Despite the result in January, the history of this end of the season remains to be written. Whether in the process or the men who will carry this responsibility at the Olympic Games in Paris and Lille. Everyone had to be included.
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In these 23, there is Vincent Gérard. Does he still have your trust?
We are talking about Vincent Gérard, a player who has very great references to his credit with the French team, who has been at the origin of many great performances for many years. He went through a very complex period with this operation (pubalgia), his situation in Kiel (his club did not wish to keep him). He had to find a place (Istres en Proligue) where he could express himself. Today, he is in the phase of gradual return with still a lot of work to do. But it is with great pleasure that we welcome him with us as was already the case before the Euro.
“Kounkoud? The question for me was quickly resolved”
There is also Benoît Kounkoud under investigation for sexual assault the night which followed the European title… Did you hesitate before calling him out?
Benoît’s participation in this larger group logic was not discussed. Even though his case is still ongoing, he was released from police custody without any charge or constraint. We are awaiting the outcome of the investigation and the decisions that will follow. At that time, we will know in which setting we find ourselves. Today, it is not up to me, coach, to presume possible sanctions. The question for me was quickly resolved.
Before the Euro, the France team prepared in Nantes. There she is in Montpellier. Is it important to reward cities and clubs that have handball at their heart?
I don’t see it as a reward. Nantes and Montpellier are among the most beautiful bastions of French handball. These are territories that have been playing handball for many years. It makes sense to periodically associate them with the future of the French team, a structure which brings together the best players from French and European clubs. It is always a pleasure to come to these territories for preparation matches which are always rich in lessons and which generate a lot of spectacle. Nantes or Montpellier: wherever the French team travels, it is celebrated.
“Canayer? Someone who inspires me”
In Montpellier, Patrice Canayer is preparing to retire after 30 years at MHB? Has this coach ever inspired you?
He is someone who inspires me for his career, his feats of arms, what he has managed to build throughout his career. It’s quite unique. Coach-manager is increasingly rare. Not to mention its longevity. It is the French coach who has won the most at club. He is a great man on the French handball scene.
“In the use of the guys, the reminder of the values and the coaching, it is the best”. Do you know who says that about you?
Non.
The president of the Federation Philippe Bana. Do you recognize yourself in this assessment?
It really doesn’t matter to me whether I recognize myself in that or not. I put everything that I am as a person, my skills, at the service of the project… In the end, what attracts me is to be able, together, to grow the team, to sustain the convincing results which allow us to envisage an exceptional end to the season with a unique event.
You will be at the end of your contract at the end of the Olympics. Your deputy Erick Mathé has chosen not to leave (Editor’s note: he will replace Patrice Canayer at MHB). What is your plan? Do you know what you will do after the Olympics?
Everything in its time. We are still in a phase focused both on the return of the Euro and the projection towards the Olympics. Obviously, these questions will become more and more important. But there is no rush to deal with everything. My urgency is to know how, with this group, we are able to put ourselves in battle order, to mark out the path towards Paris and Lille. We will have enough time to think about what happens next.
Do you link this sequel to the result during the Olympics?
For me, that’s not the point. I’m not focused on that.
In Paris, you will only be able to take 14 players (plus three substitutes). That’s right ?
This is the latest information recently transmitted by the IHF (International Federation). This will make the selection even more complicated. This is one of the rules to which all participants will have to comply.
2024-03-11 09:37:03
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