The incredible reversal of the situation against Denmark undeniably marked a turning point in the progress of the French team to the Euro handball. In a press conference from Budapest (Hungary), Vincent Gérard, Nikola Karabatic, and Guillaume Gille returned to this meeting worthy of a final and the next semi-final which awaits them this Friday (8:30 p.m.) against Sweden. For the goalkeeper, the center half and the coach of the Blues, it will still be very difficult and everything is possible, including a new title expected since 2014.
“After this exceptional scenario, the night was easier, unlike the Icelanders…”: Vincent Gérard is smiling, and we understand that. Put in difficulty for almost a period, the PSG doorman pulled out what was needed to restart the machine: “We are starting to get used to going up very high, going down, then going up. This is part of managing our emotions and our mental toughness. The Games had already given us a lot of confidence. »
“I don’t feel like a favourite”
A year ago, Sweden took out France in the semi-finals of the Egyptian World Cup. Gérard of course has his opinion on the next opponent of the Blues: “They have extremely talented players and we must be able to annoy them. Like us, they are miraculous (dominated by Norway, the Swedes also owe their qualification only to an improbable “remontada”). Experience shows that a match can change very quickly. We must above all concentrate on ourselves, it would be too stupid to have regrets afterwards. »
In the rehabilitation phase after his serious injury in October 2020, Nikola Karabatic was not present in Cairo in 2021. No feeling of revenge, therefore, for one of the other Parisians in the group, but an enormous serenity: “We have enormous respect for each of our opponents, explains the record holder of the Blues still active in number of goals scored (1,252). You can win every game that comes your way. I don’t feel like a favourite, but I believe in our luck and our lucky stars. »
Positive for Covid, the 37-year-old Parisian had missed the start of preparation at the Maison du handball, just after Christmas. He therefore naturally regrets that the virus continues to rot the life of the France group: “Every day, we can have a new absent player (Karl Konan, Mahé of the city, Nicolas Tournat, and Guillaume Gille were hit in Hungary). It’s infuriating, and it can play on the race for the medal. We are going to give our all for everyone. Anyway, we can no longer calculate. »
“Frustrating to live all this in front of the TV”
From his room where he has been isolated for a week, the coach takes his troubles patiently: “It’s super frustrating to experience all this in front of the TV, sighs Guillaume Gille. We still managed to do a bit of morse between the covid rooms! I hope I can finally go out and be in physical contact with the team. It’s heavy but secondary, our project is the most important thing. »
Facing Sweden, Érick Mathé, his deputy, should therefore continue the interim on the bench: “We are at a pivotal moment in the competition, where stories are written, launches Gille. The France team is still in the right place. It’s never anecdotal to say that. We have been experiencing unique things for a month. Having found the way to the semi-final is a great pride. The rest of the adventure still remains to be written. »
