The captain of the French handball team Valentin Porte, who had given up the previous rally, is making his return to the group of 21 players called up on Saturday by coach Guillaume Gille for the double friendly confrontation against Spain.
Porte forfeited matches in the Golden League friendly tournament in mid-March, crossing “an extremely delicate period both physically and psychologically”.
“Everything remains open with Valentin for that week. We will quietly take stock at the beginning of the course in order to consider the future. I believe that the personal work that he has undertaken makes him move forward. I can’t wait to see him back with us.”explained Gille on Saturday.
For the reunion with the French public in Paris-Bercy on Thursday April 14 and in Chambéry on April 16, the French will face Spain. The coach called on 21 players to “continue the work started a few months ago with this group”.
Present at the rally in mid-March in Créteil but left to rest for the matches in Denmark against Norway and Denmark, Nikola Karabatic will make his return, as will Vincent Gérard, Hugo Descat and Nicolas Tournat.
All thirteen Olympic champions still in activity will be present to celebrate Tokyo’s gold against La Roja, “the most regular training in recent years with a systematic presence on the podiums or even on the first step at major international competitions”underlines Gilles.
Guardians: Rémi Desbonnet (Nîmes), Vincent Gérard (Paris SG), Wesley Pardin (Aix)
Left wingers: Hugo Descat (Montpellier), Dylan Nahi (Kielce / POL)
Left backs: Thibaud Briet (Nantes), Nikola Karabatic (Paris SG), Karl Konan (Aix), Romain Lagarde (Aix), Timothey N’Guessan (FC Barcelona / ESP)
Centre-halves: Kentin Mahé (Veszprem/HUN), Aymeric Minne (Nantes)
Pivots: Ludovic Fabregas (FC Barcelona / ESP), Luka Karabatic (Paris SG), Nicolas Tournat (Kielce / POL)
Right backs: Dika Mem (FC Barcelone/ESP), Nedim Remili (Paris SG), Melvyn Richardson (FC Barcelone/ESP)
Right wingers: Benoît Kounkoud (Paris SG), Yanis Lenne (Montpellier), Valentin Porte (Montpellier) (c.)