They almost walked at the same pace, delighted observers, impressed their opponents, traced their course as bosses and crossed the first obstacle, that of qualifying, almost without shade. The French handball and basketball teams will push the mimicry a little further, this Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games. For their entry into the other competition, “the real one” according to Vincent Collet, that of “choppy matches” according to Guillaume Gille, the Blues have, each in their own way, via the classification (hand) or by drawing (basketball) of lots , avoided the big chunks and inherited the surprise guest of the competition. This night (2 h 30 French), the formation of Gille will face, in fact, Bahrain, present for the first time in its history at the Games. Vincent Collet's troops will be opposed to Italy,a selection also from an Olympic qualifying tournament. These two opponents, on paper, do not seem to have the profile to prevent the Habs from opening the door to the last four provided they do not fall into the trap of the superiority complex.
Bahrain on the band's menu at Karabatic
“Our best ranking at the World Cup was twentieth place (in 2019). Now we are in the Top 8 of the Olympic Games. For us, being in the quarter-finals is like winning the title for France. “The exit of Aron Kristjansson, the Icelandic coach of Bahrain certainly says a lot of the context, but does not reveal all of what awaits the Blues in the early morning (9:30 am) in Tokyo. "Bahrain is the surprise guest," agrees coach Guillaume Gille. It certainly has fewer references than the others at the international level, but it brings a lot of freshness and envy to the game. We had not imagined this scenario as it seemed so improbable. But whatever the opponent, we must not forget that we are arriving at the first decisive moment of the competition.“It is understood that this induces a maximum of requirement to reach the last four. Widely beaten in the last group match by Egypt (30-20), Bahrain, who was swept away (42-17) in its only confrontation with France in 2011, does not seem to have the profile to worry Nikola Karabatic and his family. “It would be a mistake to underestimate them, tempers the French leader. Bahrain only lost at the last second against Sweden, which gave us a temper at the last World Cup. "tempers the tricolor leader. Bahrain only lost at the last second against Sweden, which gave us a temper at the last World Cup. "tempers the tricolor leader. Bahrain only lost at the last second against Sweden, which gave us a temper at the last World Cup. "
Italy for Collet's troops
Ten years since France has not crossed swords with Italy in an official match. Vincent Collet recognizes it easily, Squadra Azzurra is the surprise guest, not only of the quarterfinals, but also of the Olympic tournament. “It is a European team which made an exceptional TQO, recalls the French coach. They went to seek their qualification in Serbia, in Belgrade, which is a real achievement. “And the Italians did not stop there since since their arrival in Japan, they have lost only three short lengths against Australia (83-86). A record that makes the French coach say that the second in Group B is not to be taken lightly, as his feat during the qualifying phase still seems to carry him. "He's a last-minute guest,who did a feat and who is riding that performance, he says. They are on good momentum. You have to take that into account. The quarterfinals are the turning point of the Games, an acceleration towards the medal. We know that the most aggressive, the most determined team is doing the best. “Since the start of the tournament, France has always been that one. Can his unblemished career stun him to the point of forgetting the fundamentals for a quarter? "To fall into overconfidence would be a lack of taste," warns Collet. Beyond the quality of the opponent, we will have to earn our place in the half. »An important reminder for a French team eliminated at this stage of the competition in 2012 and 2016.an acceleration towards the medal. We know that the most aggressive, the most determined team is doing the best. “Since the start of the tournament, France has always been that one. Can his unblemished career stun him to the point of forgetting the fundamentals for a quarter? "To fall into overconfidence would be a lack of taste," warns Collet. Beyond the quality of the opponent, we will have to earn our place in the half. »An important reminder for a French team eliminated at this stage of the competition in 2012 and 2016.an acceleration towards the medal. We know that the most aggressive, the most determined team is doing the best. “Since the start of the tournament, France has always been that one. Can his unblemished career stun him to the point of forgetting the fundamentals for a quarter? "To fall into overconfidence would be a lack of taste," warns Collet. Beyond the quality of the opponent, we will have to earn our place in the half. »An important reminder for a French team eliminated at this stage of the competition in 2012 and 2016.can it stun him to the point of forgetting the fundamentals for a shift? "To fall into overconfidence would be a lack of taste," warns Collet. Beyond the quality of the opponent, we will have to earn our place in the half. »An important reminder for a French team eliminated at this stage of the competition in 2012 and 2016.can it stun him to the point of forgetting the fundamentals for a shift? "To fall into overconfidence would be a lack of taste," warns Collet. Beyond the quality of the opponent, we will have to earn our place in the half. »An important reminder for a French team eliminated at this stage of the competition in 2012 and 2016.