‘Les Experts’ eye seventh consecutive Olympic Games berth

05 Mar. 2021

‘Les Experts’ eye seventh consecutive Olympic Games berth

The golden era of ‘Les Experts’, who became one of the few teams to hold the European, World and Olympic titles at the same time, is gone for France, yet they outdid themselves at the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship in January, where they finished fourth after a seven-game winning run.

Of course, losses against Sweden and Spain on the final weekend were disappointing and France still came back empty-handed – but following in the footsteps of extraordinary performances is always difficult to manage.

Since qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time in 1992, France have been one of the most consistent sides in the handball tournament, never finishing lower than sixth and securing four medals – winning the title twice in 2008 and 2012, taking silver in 2016 and bronze in 1992.

And France still have the know-how and the experience in the squad to build a successful challenge for a medal in a tournament, as displayed at Egypt 2021.

Coach Guillaume Gille himself knows a thing or two about qualifying for the Olympic Games and winning the gold medal, being an integral part of the teams that snatched the titles at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

“These will be very tough games and our Olympic dream relies on us winning them,” said Gille after losing the bronze medal game against Spain at Egypt 2021.

France finished Egypt 2021 battered, with key players in defence like Luka Karabatic and Elohim Prandi injured, while right back Dika Mem also nursed an injury, but finished the tournament on the court in January.

All three are back in the provisional team for the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 in Montpellier.

However, two-time Olympic gold medallist Nikola Karabatic, the All-star left back at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, is still out with an injury and will not be able to help his team earn the seventh consecutive Olympic Games berth.

“I am delighted to be able to count on the players that were injured at the IHF Men’s World Championship and who are back on the court. This will prove important,” added Gille, in an interview with the official French Handball Federation website.

Yet, France are in limbo, with a keen eye on ushering in new talent and helping the team gel, but with the other firmly set on qualifying and earning a medal at Tokyo 2020.

“Since the start of this project and after the staff change and our takeover of the group, we have always signposted the way to the top of Mount Fuji with the idea of planting the blue, white and red flag at the top and to achieve this project is putting in a huge performance,” said Gille in an interview with French outlet RMC Sport.

France hold the advantage against all sides they will meet in Montpellier. The French side won six games and drew once against Tunisia since 2005, won five games out of seven against Portugal, while taking eight wins in 12 games against Croatia.

Key players: Kentin Mahe (centre back), Hugo Descat (left wing), Dika Mem (right back), Ludovic Fabregas (line player)

Qualification for Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020: 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship – 3rd place
 
History in Olympic Games: 1992: 3rd, 1996: 4th, 2000: 6th, 2004: 5th, 2008: 1st, 2012: 1st, 2016: 2nd 
 
Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 – Tournament 2: France (FRA), Croatia (CRO), Tunisia (TUN), Portugal (POR)