The captain of the French handball team Estelle Nze Minko, despite a Euro finishing in 4th place, proved that she still had something under her belt at 33 years old, she who no longer wishes to project herself too far ahead, particularly towards a new Olympiad.
The statistic was undoubtedly anecdotal on Sunday, when the Blues had to digest their defeat against Hungary (25-24). By scoring four new goals in this match for 3rd place, Estelle Nze Minko then became the top French scorer on the continental scene (156), overtaking former great international Alexandra Lacrabère.
Further proof of the longevity and importance of Nze Minko. At 33, she is one of those who have won everything in Blue, from the 2017 and 2023 World Cup to the Olympic coronation in 2021, including Euro 2018 in France.
From Vienna, the rear of Györ, in Hungary, will not bring home a medal this time.
However, and despite a virus which slowed her down for several days, she still proved valuable with her 26 goals (59% shooting success, 21 assists, third best French scorer) or with her ability to steal the ball. With nine interceptions, she is the best Frenchwoman in this area during the competition.
“I no longer have time for cycles”
The captain of the French handball team Estelle Nze Minko during the match for third place in the Euro lost to Hungary (25-24), December 15, 2024 in Vienna / Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP
After a moment of reflection following the Paris Olympic Games, where Les Bleues won silver, Estelle Nze Minko finally felt ready to start a new major competition.
“I was prepared to be in mental difficulty after the Games, that didn’t happen to me, so there’s already that”the player explained to AFP before the Euro, who was also able to take advantage of having been spared for the first two post-Olympic training courses to have several days of vacation, “which hasn’t happened to me in ten years”.
“I also had the opportunity to spend even more moments which allowed me to rest physically and mentally and which increased my motivation. »
However, Estelle Nze Minko did not see this Euro as the start of a new cycle, which will lead in four years to the Los Angeles Games.
“I'm 33, I don't have time for cycles anymore. I can't say to myself 'well there in four years', no we're going to live year-round”she said.
The question now is whether the captain will plan in the coming months for the 2025 World Cup at the end of the year, where the Blues will present themselves as reigning world champions.
In the meantime, beyond the game, her importance was also mentioned by her teammates during the Euro, “we play and understand the same handball”said Chloé Valentini, praising “the track record and sustainability” of his captain.
“Over the past one or two years, we have also become a lot closer, perhaps there was this connection on the ground which allowed us to talk a lot more about our lives outside”continued the French winger.
“She shares a lot of her emotions, her stress, her fears”appreciates Pauline Coatanea, “it makes you say to yourself, ‘ah yes she’s the captain, she has 200 caps and she always has this little stress’. And for her to share it with us also helps us to do so. It’s a joy to be with her every day”.
