Cairo (AFP)

The pivot of the French handball team Ludovic Fabregas is "proud" of the course of the Blues in Egypt, eliminated Friday by Sweden 32-26 in the semi-final of the World Cup in Cairo.

Winning the bronze medal on Sunday would be "a glimmer of hope for future years" and "would reward the old ones" Michaël Guigou and Luc Abalo, of which it is probably the last World Cup, underlined the Catalan.

Q: How do you feel after this failure?

A: "Disappointment, of course. We were keen to pass this milestone because the last two times we got to the semi-finals (Euro 2018 and World 2019), we had this setback too. Sweden's victory is logical, deserved, they were better than us in all areas of the game and you have to know how to accept it. Maybe we were not at our level and we will have to try to find some additional resources to get a medal because it would do us good in the head.

Q: What was missing?

A: "We were in trouble from the start, maybe we lacked gas. Maybe Luka's injury (Karabatic, defense boss) also played a role but I don't want to hide behind it all. We were inferior in all areas of the game and we could not hope for better, unfortunately. In terms of goalkeepers, we are behind but also free throws, exclusions, shooting efficiency ... "

Q: Will the match for 3rd place be important to keep a positive balance?

A: "Since December 27 or 31, we are on the bridge, we work, we also take criticism. We were not given many chances to achieve a beautiful World. Tonight, we can already be proud of this course, we are still very happy to have reached the semi-final. Me anyway, I'm proud of the guys. Maybe we didn't hope to go that far, sincerely. evening yes, there is frustration, disappointment but there is a victory to be fetched on Sunday to be rewarded. It would be a glimmer of hope for the future years and in the short term for the TQO (Olympic qualifying tournament). ) and potentially the Games if we qualify. We will also try to reward the alumni (Michaël Guigou and Luc Abalo), it may be their last World Cup. "

Interview in mixed zone

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