In ProLigue with Dijon since 2016, the Tunisian goalkeeper, Wassim Helal would like to celebrate his 41st birthday on July 16 with a first promotion to StarLigue. Interview conducted for Handball Magazine and Le Quotidien du Sport.
How was your passion for handball born?
High School. The coach was a sports teacher and guardian of my birthplace, Monastir. He offered me to play handball at the club. It happened that way.
It’s not so common in a football crazy country like Tunisia!
Effectively. But luckily for me I came across a handball goalkeeper who was my teacher at the same time. I quickly fell in love with this sport.
At 40, how do you explain your longevity?
I’m working ! I am serious and I do my specifics. I like what I do and I set personal and collective goals for the club. Hopefully we reach them.
How much longer do you plan to play?
As long as my body responds well (smiles). I will push to the maximum.
What is your notoriety in Tunisia?
It is relatively large. I played for Espérance de Tunis for 16 years (until 2016, Ed); I won 22 titles with this club. I lived great moments with my selection. The people there follow us and push us. They are also proud of what I do with Dijon. This only redoubles my determination towards this club.
Was your absence from the last World Cup a disappointment?
The selection called me last year. I had not been able to go there for family reasons, my wife working and the children being at school, it was not easy to be absent. Maybe we will find solutions in the future. I hope to come back to honor the jersey of Tunisia.
What is your greatest memory with the Eagles of Carthage?
I played in many international competitions with Tunisia. I have very fond memories of the London Olympics in 2012. We reached the quarter-finals against Croatia (23-25, Editor’s note).
“Every proleague match is like a final”
And your biggest regret?
With Dijon when we lost the Final Four against Créteil (in 2019, Ed). We missed the mark to climb into the elite. There was also a defeat which hurt against Egypt (2327) in 2020 on an African Nations Championship.
What does the Dijon club represent in your career?
I feel like home here. I want to give back to this club which has done so much for me too. I would like to climb into the elite with Dijon. We deserve it. It is also a career goal. It’s up to us to be very good in this second part of the championship (Dijon was in the lead halfway through the season, Editor’s note).
Have you ever had the opportunity to play for a StarLigue club?
I have had proposals, but I feel good in this club. I’m not the type to change teams like that. My children are used to the city of Dijon too. They have their buddies here. I don’t want to mess them up either.
Is a retraining project in Dijon possible once your career is over?
It’s to do. I haven’t spoken about it yet with the president (Thierry Desserey, Editor’s note). I am a sports teacher. I did the equivalence of my sports educator diploma in France. It would be an interesting prospect to give experience to this club to which I am so attached. However, for the moment I remain focused on my handball career.
Wassim Helal plays ProLigue matches like a final
What would a climb with Dijon represent?
I would so much like to go to the top flight with this club. We’ve been trying to climb for seven years. So far, some small details prevent us from doing so.
Which ?
We have always had quality, but there has been a lack of rotation in the squad. Now it’s different. Our workforce can allow us to go up. There is experience and talented young people. When you can spin, it makes a big difference. Physically, it is essential to go the distance in such a tough championship.
Every ProLigue match is like a final. Physical fatigue affects the mind. When it is present, it can generate rookie errors on cleaver matches. We will therefore need everyone to ensure this accession. I hope that we will not have to deplore any major injuries either.
What will be the difference between Dijon and the other contenders?
This will mainly be played on concentration and the mind. Because the level is very close between all the teams.
Finally, which French goalkeeper impressed you the most?
There are many, but Thierry Omeyer has really given everything for the France team. He was crucial in the history of the selection.
