With just one day remaining of 2020, France left winger Hugo Descat received a call-up to the national side, his first since April 2013, for the double 2022 European Championship qualifier against Serbia the following month.

France had seen their two previous EURO qualifying matches against Belgium and Greece in October postponed, and with some of the squad named for those games testing positive for COVID-19, Descat was subsequently called up for a November training camp.

Those two Serbia games then followed, but it was disappointment for France, with a 27:24 loss in Serbia, followed by a 26:26 draw in Creteil, France.

That match at home saw Descat score four times, opening his national account for France finally, and at Egypt 2021 on Thursday (14 January) he opened his world championship account, scoring four times in four attempts against Norway in a strong 28:24 win, putting one foot of  ‘Les Bleus’ in the main round already, and putting the Serbian experience well and truly behind them.

“It was not so good the games between Serbia and us, we played so bad,” said Descat to ihf.info. 

“We had a long preparation together, we trained a lot, but now we are focussing on the mentality and how to show it on court. That’s why we played good [against Norway]; we fought to the end and the victory was very good for us.”

When Descat sunk home his penalty shot in the 38th minute to open his world championship account, the whole French bench stood up and applauded the Montpellier player, who felt the love on court.

“It was an amazing energy for me that all players support me,” he said. “I am very proud to score my first world championship goal in the national team and I hope it is not the end – I will try to give a lot again and again.”

Experienced French centre back Kentin Mahe was not surprised that Descat is back in the squad and was quick to praise his teammate.

“Hugo is a guy who has great qualities,” said the Telekom Veszprem player. “He is a really great player – counter-attacks, seven metres and from the angles. I am not surprised to see him this good and I am proud of him.”

Against Norway, France goalkeeper Wesley Pardin took the best player award for his 18 saves, and for Descat, it provides reassurance knowing the security between the posts is there.

“It’s very good for us because when we make mistakes and he saves the ball, it’s comfortable – we know the defence is good and we can play until the end,” he said. “It’s very important for me in handball when you defend good and you don’t receive stupid goals. That happened [against Norway] so it was very, very good for us. I hope Wesley will continue in the competition like that.”

Despite the opening win, Descat was not getting carried away and had one simple word for the remaining games at Egypt 2021: focus.

“We have the much bigger group with Austria and Switzerland now,” he explained. “We will be focussed until the end of the group and let’s see [what’s next]. Now, we are very focussed and for us the Norway win is not the end. It is just beginning, and we are focussed to go until the end of this competition.”