“The handball displayed is very pleasing. We can’t wait to see how it develops, it’s exciting to watch.” After three months of competition and before the Euro handball tournament (November 28 – December 15) which puts the championship and the Champions League on hold until the beginning of January, Nicolas Roué says he is “very happy with what we are seeing” time to make a first progress update. Like the Brest supporters, the BBH sports director was able to get a first idea of the new style of his team now coached by Raphaëlle Tervel, in office since July.
More spectacular and more open, it contrasts with the more defensive ambition that Pablo Morel could previously favor. This season, in Brest, handball is being thought of differently and the Champions League statistics are there to support this observation: Brest is the 15th defense (out of 16) in the competition with an average of 31 goals conceded per match. But the BBH is conversely the best attack of the two groups with 268 goals scored in eight matches. “We had several question marks linked to the major renewal of the squad, the almost complete change of staff and only 15 days of preparation with all the players at the end of the Olympics to prepare for the season,” rewinds Nicolas Roué. Everything is not perfect, we knew we would have to be patient but we saw from the start a very interesting level of play.”
Me, I know that I like to have plan A, plan B, plan C, plan D, plan Z, in attack, in defense
A “profit and loss” style
Asked about her first weeks at the head of the BBH, Tervel draws up “an extremely positive assessment. We won all the matches we had to win and we lost against the two teams (Györ and Odense) still a little bit above us.” During these summit meetings with the intensity of a Final Four which made the Arena vibrate, as was also the case during the victory against Esbjerg, Brest showed character and a lively playing identity assumed. “The feedback we get from the players is that the freedom we give them pleases,” continues Nicolas Roué. Even if this style leads to ball losses, it is something that we accept. It’s a profit and loss principle and waste will only decrease over time.”
Revelation of this start of the season, Clarisse Mairot explains “that in fact, when we talk about free play, it is so that we are not readable by the opponent by doing things that are too programmed. It’s complicated because you have to have maximum concentration, you have to take all the information into account, try to process it as quickly as possible, create uncertainty, make feints, change the rhythms, support, guidance”.
Against Odense last Sunday, despite the 38 goals conceded, Raphaëlle Tervel nevertheless spoke of a reference match “of a united team” which must assimilate numerous tactical options, such as the seven-man attack or the 2-4 defense. “I know that I like to have plan A, plan B, plan C, plan D, plan Z, in attack, in defense,” confides Tervel, who aims to have on hand training grounded in its principles for the trip to Metz in February (Wednesday 12). And the deadlines that will follow in the spring. “Raphaëlle is building her season to be in good shape in February, March, April,” says Nicolas Roué. The rise in power is planned, anticipated.”
Morocco
