She had not played since February 11, 2023, or 13 months almost to the day.
Victim of multi-concussion syndrome following several concussions, the Olympic champion goalkeeper in Tokyo has been champing at the bit all this time.
After a first green light given by the medical profession a month ago, the 34-year-old Brestoise returned to the field for the visit of Mérignac (37-30).
Cléopâtre Darleux came on in the 44th minute in place of Julie Foggea, when Brest led 27-22.
Also read “I will do everything to be at the Olympics”: Cleopatra Darleux keeps the faith after her concussion
An ovation from the 4,000 spectators then greeted his return.
“It was a very nice tribute for a goalkeeper who gave a lot for the club.
It must have warmed her heart because she was the one who suffered the most in this story.
Personally, I am happy to find an additional high-level player in the group,” greeted her coach Pablo Morel, speaking to Handball TV.
In a quarter of an hour, the 2017 world champion stopped three Girondins shots with a 27% success rate.
This is not yet an extraordinary performance in the cage of the team which dominates the French Championship.
But it's a good start.
From Wednesday, Cléopâtre Darleux will play again at Saint-Amand before rediscovering the Champions League next weekend.
𝗖𝗹𝗲́𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮̀ 𝗠𝗲́𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗰!
🔥
More information ➡️ https://t.co/UFL5IAku7y 👌 pic.twitter.com/xwoxaU55XG
— BBH official (@BBH_Officiel) March 7, 2024
Here she is, above all, engaged in a difficult race against the clock with a view to Olympic selection.
This will be revealed on July 5.
The Olympic champion therefore has 4 months left to convince Olivier Krumbholz that she is up to the task.
Isn't it too late?
Not for her.
“Physically, I look after myself, I feel good.
I'm going to miss a little muscle, I'll have some reflexes to regain but it will all come back quickly.
The matches and the Olympic preparation will help me.
March for my recovery, it’s still in good timing,” she told us in the fall, her eyes fixed on the Paris Games.
His schedule is respected.
But is it also for the Blue coach who has no shortage of good goalkeepers?
Krumbholz: “I am attentive to the situation”
A hierarchy was established in his absence in the French team.
With Laura Glauzer perfect as number 1 during the world conquest, the revelation Hatadou Sako who has gained ground and Camille Sinceet as possible reinforcement.
To make the Games, Cléopâtre Darleux must dislodge at least two of these players.
In Paris then in Lille, there will in fact only two goalkeepers selected.
“I am attentive to his situation,” confided Olivier Krumbholz a few days ago in the preamble to the two qualifying matches for the Euro.
Cleopatra encountered a very serious problem, and it is the human element that is essential in what we do.
She is now back on track and it is obvious that she will first have to go through the stages, train normally and play again in her club which is doing well with already good goalkeepers.
For the moment, it is impossible to comment on his case.
» Hear in the French team: Cléopâtre Darleux launched a time trial.
She is not sure of winning it but she is back in the race.