For its first matches of the season, the French HandFauteuil team took care of its entry. Twice and in front of a crowd that came in large numbers to Châtellerault, Alexandra Dabek's teammates beat the Portugal team, revenge since the debacle of the World Cup last fall.
The start of the season was important for Fabien Convers and his entire group. After a chocolate medal at the world championship, the main thing was to get off to a good start for this first course of the year. After the decision a few weeks ago by the European and international authorities to favor the 4-player configuration of the discipline, the French team's game plan was revised in order to be as effective as possible.
A game project which seems to have borne fruit during this first gathering since the Blues showed great things during their confrontations against their best enemy, Portugal. On Friday January 17, the group took part in the first match against the Portuguese team in front of a packed house. After the kick-off given by Vincent Gérard, former goalkeeper of the French men's team and team ambassador for the occasion, the usual starting 4 takes to the floor. The start was hesitant, attempts failed on both sides of the field, it was not until the third minute that Fatih Cuhadar opened the scoring. On the Portuguese side, the start is messy, the loss of balls and failures to shoot benefit the French who exploit the slightest error and take the lead until the end of the set (4-3). Returning from the locker room, Fabien Convers chooses to rotate his team by bringing in new players in the selection, Guillaume Launay and Raphaël Guillain. A profitable choice which will give freshness to the team. The combinations keep coming and for the Portuguese, the path to goals is strewn with pitfalls. Despite a few losses of balls on the French side, Danilo Ferreira's collective cannot come back to the score (7-3). The French HandFauteuil team won its first match of the season against a weakened Portuguese team, which came up against a very fit Mathieu de Cillia.
For the second match of the rally, the France team wanted to confirm the good form of the day before. This was done during the first set where the explosiveness of Fatih Cuhadar and the saves of Samuel Chandesris allowed the Blues to widen the gap despite the few lapses in defense. The Portuguese, revengeful after the defeat the day before, tried to exploit French mistakes in a better way but collapsed in the second part, allowing the French team to win the first set, 12-6. The second set is much closer, the two teams are neck and neck and each trying to win this second set. At the end of regulation time, the two teams were unable to decide between themselves (5-5). At the golden goal, Portugal has the ball and manages to score the winning goal (5-7). For the third set, the Blues re-mobilized to get this second victory. Still few goals on each side of the field, we are witnessing a real duel between the goalkeepers. Tied with less than a minute remaining in the game, both teams are trying to turn the score around in their favor. Fatih Cuhadar, used to spectacular actions, allows the French team to win this set and at the same time win the match thanks to a goal at the buzzer (7-4).
The French HandFauteuil team will meet in March near Nantes for a new preparation course with a view to the European Championship which will take place in November.
DECLARATIONS
Fabien Convers, coach of the French HandArmchair team: « The start of the season went in the best possible way for us. These two victories against Portugal allow us to plan correctly for the rest of the season. We were able to achieve the objectives that we had set ourselves before the start of the internship, in particular that of rotating the team and testing new profiles ».
Cédric Noir, assistant coach of the French Handchair team: « The results of these two matches are rather positive: we were able to bring in new players who each brought new things to the team: speed, power. Important elements in the configuration of the 4-player game ».
Valentine Dieng, player of the French HandFauteuil team: « This first training course of the year was intense for the whole team. We all got back into the swing of things after a busy first season but the sensations were good. The two victories against a team like Portugal are rather promising for the future. And to be able to win in front of so many fans is pretty incredible. ».
SEASON PROGRAM 2024/2025
Preparation course – January 11 to 19 – Châtellerault
Friday January 17 (2:15 p.m.) and Saturday January 18 (4:30 p.m.): France – Portugal
Preparation course – March 20 to 23 – Nantes
No friendly matches
Preparation course – June 19 to 22
Location and meetings to be determined
Preparation course – August 21 to 24 – Spain
France – Spain – date and times of meetings to be determined
Preparation course – October 9 to 12 – Maison du handball, Créteil
European Championship
Date and location to be determined
Benjamin BRUN, David CARRÉE, Samuel CHANDESRIS, Fatih CUHADAR, Alexandra DABEK, Mathieu DE CILLIA, Valentine DIENG, Aouatif EL HARRAS, Raphaël GUILLAIN, Jean-Christophe JAGOT, Guillaume LAUNAY, Jonathan LUCAS, Jordan PAVY, Benoit POIROT, Gaétan TAFFOREAU
Coach: Fabien CONVERS; Assistant coach: Cédric NOIR; Doctor: Vincent SAYET; Physiotherapists: Marie FALGOUX, Pierre PIGOURY; Physical trainer: Pierrick BERNARD; Mechanic: Anthony BRULEY; Manager: Stella RAFFI; CTN Parahand: Mourad BOUNOUARA
