Paris (AFP)
Two months after the Olympic gold medal, return to the field for the French handball players: in the absence of several executives, spared, the Bleues attack the qualifying campaign for Euro-2022 with two duels, against the Czech Republic Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) in Besançon, then in Ukraine on Sunday (5:00 p.m.).
The first match is scheduled to sell out at the Ghani-Yalouz Sports Palace (around 3,000 seats in handball configuration), the home of the Bisontines who play in the first division.
Something to rejoice captain and left winger Coralie Lassource after the Tokyo Games played behind closed doors.
"Having a room full to bursting, it allows to give even more on the field and that will give an incredible enthusiasm to the match", she explains to AFP.
The 29-year-old Brest, promoted captain after Siraba Dembélé's withdrawal for the Olympics, is one of the most experienced players in a rejuvenated team with novices.
Left winger Coralie Lassource overwhelms Swedish right-back Emma Lindqvist and scores a goal, in the semi-finals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, August 6, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP / Archives
In the group of 20 players selected, 10 do not have any selection.
Only six Olympic champions are present: Lassource therefore, as well as left winger Chloé Valentini, left-back Kalidiatou Niakaté, center-half Méline Nocandy, pivot Pauletta Foppa and right-back Océane Sercien-Ugolin.
"The idea was to summon the best possible team, taking into account the demand of some players to be spared. But we have a core that has + performed + at the Olympic Games", assures AFP the coach Olivier Krumbholz.
The coach of the French handball team Olivier Krumbholz congratulates the pivot Pauletta Foppa, after the victory against the Netherlands, in the quarter-final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, August 4, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP / Archives
"Our job is to personalize the courses as much as possible, which is what we are doing this week. I remind you that two of the best Russian players, (Daria) Dmitrieva and (Anna) Vyakhireva, have stopped their activity temporarily or permanently. burnout for a while ... There are strong indicators that prove that we must take care of our players and not systematically focus on the immediate result ", continues the boss of the Blue, forced to compose without his guards Cléopatre Darleux and Amandine Leynaud.
The first is left to stand.
The second ended his international career after winning over Russia (30-25) in the final in Tokyo.
Goalkeepers Amandine Leynaud (l) and Cléopâtre Darleux pose with their gold medals, after France's victory against Russia, in the final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, August 8, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP / Archives
- Relaunch Glauser -
But the cage remains well guarded, with in particular Laura Glauser, European champion in 2018 and Olympic vice-champion in 2016. The ex-Messina, 28, must nevertheless regain confidence, because she plays little in the club with Györ (Hungary ), where her competitors are the Norwegian Silje Solberg and ... Leynaud.
French goalkeeper Laura Glauser, during the Euro 2018 semi-final against the Netherlands, on December 14, 2018 at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris FRANCK FIFE AFP
"The first idea is to relaunch Laura Glauser. My personal goal is for her to be a very great goalkeeper, N.1 or N.2, at the 2024 Olympics," explains Krumbholz.
These matches are also an opportunity to identify other contenders for the Olympic event in Paris in less than three years, or even for the World Cup in December.
"We will only have had two or three days to prepare them but we make a point of presenting a somewhat commando team. It's a challenge this week, but we intend to take it up," added the coach.
The coach of the French handball team Olivier Krumbholz addresses his players during the semi-final against Sweden on August 6, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Franck FIFE AFP / Archives
A double challenge largely within the reach of the Blue, even reworked, on paper.
The Czechs are certainly coached by Jan Basny, who has coached several French clubs (Nantes, Besançon ...), but they were eliminated from the group stage of Euro-2020 with zero points on the clock.
The Ukrainians, whom the French will face in Soumy (northeast), have not qualified for a major tournament since Euro-2014 (last place).
This remains "two trap matches" for Lassource.
"But with a rejuvenated team, we can no longer create an effect of surprise", concludes the captain.
© 2021 AFP