After the disappointment experienced by the FFL during the Paralympic Games, one sport was however missing from the call: wheelchair handball. And that is a shame, because when you look more closely, it must be said that we have a very strong potential for national loss in this area.
The French are absolutely unplayable in wheelchair handball
For its first participation in a Wheelchair Handball World Championship, or the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship for short, the French team went to Egypt. And the objective was simple: win the first match in its history in a World Championship. The first opportunity was against Japan. Fabien Convers’ players started wonderfully well by collapsing 14-5 in the first set, before almost repeating the feat in the second (12-7). The Blues lost two sets to nothing, and 26-12 on aggregate. The openings that we love so much at the FFL.
The very next day, the French team had not one, but two opportunities to redeem themselves, and finally experience their first World Cup success. And to do so, they had to face Brazil and the United States. Two games means double the risk of sinking into eternal betrayal. But more fear than harm, this double encounter ended in double failure. First against the reigning champions Brazil, with a defeat to the key (2-0: 5-3 9-3) then against the USA (2-0: 7-5 7-5). In total, the French played six sets in this World Cup, for six losses. Phenomenal.
The only black mark comes from the rules. Indeed, if with three defeats in three games, one could think that the return to France was a given for our Blues, it is not the case. Fabien Convers’ players are still qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. No recognition for the French loss, we are totally outraged and devastated. But let’s see the glass half full, and tell ourselves that this is an additional chance to see the Blues experience a new defeat in this World Cup. Ah, it’s better all of a sudden.
