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Dika Mem: "If the Danes can eliminate us, they will not hesitate"

2022-01-25T16:27:57.210Z


Brilliant since the start of the Handball Euro, apart from a misstep against Iceland, the Frenchman intends to continue against Denmark to reach the last four of the competition.


Dika, do you think that this confrontation with Denmark this Wednesday will be a revenge, for the Scandinavians, for their defeat in the final of the Tokyo Olympics last summer?


Dika Mem:

No, I don't think so because the context is completely different.

The outcome of this meeting will guarantee neither Denmark nor us to be European champions.

Simply, it will be a very big match, as always against Denmark.

We will play our skin in this Euro while they are already qualified.

We will therefore have to see how they approach it.

Precisely, the Danish coach announced that he was going to rotate his workforce.

Do you believe him or do you think he is trying to put you to sleep?


It depends.

It's entirely possible.

They have a starting 7 which has been in high demand since the start of the competition and their coach may want to save some for the last four.

Now it doesn't matter which players they field, Denmark are like the France team, they have a very strong bench depth, with very dangerous players who, if they can eliminate us, will not hesitate .

Even if their main goal is to win the competition, not simply to eliminate France.

What are the keys to disrupting these Danes?


You will already have to be very strong in defense because Denmark are playing very well offensively, they have a very pleasant game to watch.

And precisely, if we are content to look at them, we can pay the expensive price.

It will absolutely be necessary that we defend well, that we raise the balls and then in attack, it will be necessary that we remain in the continuity of what we have done well until now.

In this area, the returns of Karl Konan and Ludovic Fabregas are very important…


It's clear, they are our two defense specialists.

Everyone can defend in the team, but Karl and Ludo are clearly our number 1 hinge. It is with them that we mainly worked during all the preparation and their return adds confidence.

We have a good feeling with them and their presence against Denmark works in our favour.

Do you imagine an elimination at the end of this match?


I don't think about it before sleeping anyway (smile).

But it is clear that we are aware that this match can eliminate us, even if there will be a classification match behind.

It is necessarily something that we have in the back of our minds.

It's up to us to seize the chance we have to reach this last square.

The Icelanders already gave us a flower against Croatia, I'm not sure they'll give us a second

Dika Mem

You could also be qualified before the game in case Iceland missteps. Do you think about it?


Personally, I didn't know that. It would be a good thing. But the Icelanders have already given us a flower against Croatia, I'm not sure they will give us a second. And we have our destiny in our hands, regardless of the result in Iceland, so it will be up to us to do what is necessary. If Iceland miss, we will be relieved but I want to win this match against the Danes.

Nikola Karabatic is once again playing as a centre-half.

What does it change for you?


That he is there, in my eyes, is positive, whether as a left-back or a centre-half.

It is very important to us.

Now, for me, it's a real plus to play alongside him because he is very threatening for the opposing defense, which creates more opportunities for me to go into the intervals.

With his experience, too, he knows how to handle hot balls.

On a personal level, did your poor performance against Iceland pique your pride?


Not at all.

It is clear that inevitably, I wanted to show another face.

On this match against Iceland, if we go on a more technical level, I find that we had a lot of waste and I did not have the feeling of being able to express myself.

Afterwards, I know that I have strong responsibilities in this team, that's why I wanted to do better against Montenegro.

Now, apart from this match against Iceland, I don't think I have failed in this Euro...

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2022-01-25

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