Netherlands, Covid-19, video: the clear cuts of Valentin Porte

Valentin, do you feel that your team is getting stronger in this competition?

Yes, we are in good transition times.

We saw an improvement in our game against Ukraine, and again afterwards against Serbia.

It's getting better and better.

But there are still a lot of questions, like how we will react if we are behind in the 45th minute, something that has not happened to us so far.

We've shown some great things, but there's still a lot of work to do.

How did the group welcome the positive case of Karl Konan?

Honestly, we suspected that it might fall on us one day. All the teams were affected, we were doing well but inevitably, playing against Croatia and seeing the next day that there were two positive Croatian players, it had to happen. It's sad that this falls on Karl, who is experiencing his first major competition and who has shown since the start of the Euro that he is a trump card for our collective and our defense. He was starting to scare our opponents and it's a shame he was cut off in his tracks. Without him, we will have to rethink certain aspects of our defense, as we have been doing for two days.

Read alsoHandball Euro: caught up in the Covid-19, the French team holds its breath

Is this a concern in a strong sector of the France team?

No, it's not worrying, but it's a little pebble in the shoe that's frustrating.

Karl's absence is not a huge problem either because we have other players who can play his role, it's not a problem.

The concern is more to find the right joints, the right automatisms and how to manage over 60 minutes.

But otherwise, the France team existed without Karl and it can still exist without him.

Again, we are not short of very good defenders.

Since the start of the Euro, Melvyn Richardson has appeared inside. What do you think ?

I know Melvyn well and how can I put it… He's like a lot of players, he needs to grow in confidence. Maybe at the moment he hasn't found his rhythm yet. In the France team, it is not the same operation as in the club. He comes in at the end of the match and it's not easy to gain confidence when there is less intensity. That said, he just needs a little click to find this confidence and he will find the smile and the efficiency of which he is capable. I don't worry about him, he has a lot of resources and he can get back to his best very quickly.

It's a surprising team that has shown great things since the start of the competition, with a very dynamic game.

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How do you view your first opponent in the main round, the Netherlands?

For now, the Dutch have created a surprise, especially since we saw them during the Golden League stopover in Norway last November and they didn't show the same face at all.

It's a surprising team that has shown very good things since the start of the competition, with a very dynamic game around a center half (Luc Steins) who we know very well.

Now, like any team, it has its share of weak points that we are studying quietly to cause them problems.

Is there a formula for defending well on Luc Steins, who has an atypical profile as a centre-half?

Yes of course. There are plenty of teams who defend very well on him, and he is not unstoppable. He is a small center half, with crazy support. But its small size is both its strength and its weakness. For large sizes, it is difficult to catch because of its mobility. But once you find the right distance, it becomes easier to defend against him. We are lucky to have players in our squad who know him very well and who can guide us.

What do you think of the other three teams you will face?

Iceland has been renewing its squad for some time now and we can see that it is bearing fruit with very good players who have gained experience in the biggest European clubs. It's a very good team, young, which sets a lot of pace. You will have to be wary of her because she came out first in a group that was anything but simple. Montenegro has also had its share of positive Covid cases and little by little, the team is coming back to full strength and showing great solidity, with this Balkan mentality not to let go. We expect a very committed match. And then we will end up against Denmark, which needs no introduction. It's'one of the great favorites of the tournament with a very well-oiled team.

That's their problem, the Germans make whatever threats they want.

If they want to leave the competition, let them do it.

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Since the beginning of the Euro, there has been a very strong use of video by referees. Are you worried that it will take up too much space in the game?

Yes… I think it's a good thing in terms of player protection. Now, this beginning of competition reminds me of Christmas when you have just received a new toy and you want to use it all the time, right away. It's true that in some matches, there are actions that are worth two minutes, and it's useless to watch the video. I feel like we're making a fuss out of it. It's a good thing, but not too much, and I'm afraid it will lead to more red cards that are not necessarily justified.

Hungary was eliminated in the first round. Do you fear a less enthusiastic atmosphere in Budapest, when you said you enjoyed finding a mass audience and strong atmospheres?

It's not our problem. Our goal remains to win, whether behind closed doors like in Tokyo during the last Games or in front of 20,000 people. The objective remains the same. And I think Hungary is a country of handball, of connoisseurs. I am sorry that their national team was eliminated, but I hope this will not prevent lovers of our sport from coming to see matches and to enjoy themselves, even without their team. But whether there are 100 or 20,000 spectators in the stands, I insist, that does not change our motivation. We are not here to marvel and take pictures ofa nice full room.

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Germany threatened to leave the competition due to its many Covid cases (8 in total).

What inspires you?

That's their problem, the Germans make whatever threats they want.

If they want to leave the competition, let them do it, it will suit the other teams in their group.

Honestly, we knew what to expect before coming.

This is the lot of all teams.

Admittedly, they are hard hit at the moment but they still won Tuesday by 9 goals against Poland and they approach the main round with two points.

On our side, we know that several cases can arise, and it will not be serious.

We will call on other players and we will try to perform with the weapons we have at the moment.

There is no need to look for excuses already.

Everyone has their own way of seeing things.

We stay focused on ourselves, our game.