As of: January 29, 2024 1:02 p.m
For the first time, Samir Bellahcene, who looks after the THW Kiel goal in everyday league life, played in a major final and celebrated the European Championship with France straight away. The favored Danish handball players were deeply disappointed by the 31:33 defeat after extra time.
The final in Cologne was dramatic and contained many little stories. One certainly wrote Bellahcene, who had only played two international matches before the tournament and had to take a seat in the stands at the start of the European Championship. But now he can start and after a few minutes he is the focus. Bellahcene directs a throw from Danish left winger Emil Jakobsen onto the post. He clenches his fists. He pushes himself up.
But he also notices that his counterpart Emil Nielsen is getting better and better. In the end he has 15 saves to his name. The long-running Danish goalkeeper Niklas Landin, who was substituted later, achieved three brilliant feats, while Bellahcene only managed nine in total.
Bellahcene is actually an emergency solution from THW Kiel
There is a lot to be said for the opponent from Denmark this evening. With the left-hander Mathias Gidsel, the half-left Simon Pytlick and the pivot Magnus Saugstrup, he offers a magical triangle that many consider to be the best in world handball at the moment. And then there is the actually unequal goalkeeper duel.
Twelve months ago, Vincent Gerard was the French number one. He moved to Kiel in the summer, but was never used due to an injury and has since had to end his career. In an emergency, THW Kiel hired Bellahcene from Dunkirk, who was only known to experts. The replacement did well and has since extended his contract until 2025.
The 29-year-old, whose family comes from Algeria, also replaced Gerard in the national team. Nevertheless, this position was considered problematic. “We have three rather inexperienced goalkeepers and we tried a lot to get some stability,” explained national coach Guillaume Gille. Bellahcene’s performance is good enough on this day. It is enough to defend the advantages gained by backcourt aces such as Nedim Remili, Elohim Prandi or Kentin Mahé and pivot Ludovic Fabregas.
“I’m on cloud nine now.”
Samir Bellahcene
Bellahcene played through to within two seven meters of the final – and that in only his tenth international match. “I worked a lot for this and watched a lot of videos,” he says proudly. He made his big appearance in extra time when he parried a hard throw from the Danish backfield veteran Mikkel Hansen. It says 30:29. The French maintain their lead. After the final whistle, the French goalkeeper legend Thierry Omeyer, who was a Kiel “Zebra” between 2006 and 2013 and now works as a TV expert, pats Bellahcene on the shoulder appreciatively. A knighthood.
“Ten years ago there was a final between Denmark and France – and ‘Titi’ played outstandingly,” enthused Bellahcene about the idol of his youth. “I was watching then, now I’m standing here myself, and ‘Titi’ is supporting me his place behind the bench.” A little handball fairy tale.
Virtually no break for the Bundesliga professionals
The Danes, who lost the home European Championship final in 2014, lost out again against France. “I’m at a loss for words,” Pytlick said. “In this situation, it’s crazy that we’re required to be back at the club in just six days.” He has to return to his SG Flensburg-Handewitt on Wednesday; on Saturday he will face HSV Hamburg for a place in the cup finals.
THW Kiel has a few more days before they continue with a top Bundesliga game against SC Magdeburg. This is not an issue for Magnus Landin yet. “It’s damn hard to lose a European Championship final in extra time,” he said. At the latest when the Danish left winger trains again in Kiel, he will realize that the gold medal he wanted to win belongs to another clubmate: Samir Bellahcene.
Further information
The Frenchman wants to end his eventful career next summer. His contract with THW is expiring. The 37-year-old has not yet played for Kiel. more
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sports club | 28.01.2024 | 10:50 p.m