A successful return to competition for the Blues.
The French handball team, although messy, beat Argentina (32-23) in a friendly this Thursday in Montpellier for its first match since its European title, acquired at the end of January.
The meeting was notably marked by the return of Vincent Gérard (37 years old, 151 caps).
The goalkeeper had not worn the blue jersey since March 11, 2023 against Poland (30-27) in qualifying for Euro 2024 in Aix-en-Provence, victim the following summer of stubborn pubalgia.
Absent from the European coronation in Cologne where Samir Bellahcene shone in goal, blocked in Kiel (Germany), and forced to join the Proligue (2nd Division) in Istres at the beginning of February to find playing time before the Olympics, the last great goal of his career (he will hang up afterwards), Gérard entered the second half in place of Rémi Desbonnet, while the Blues led 17 to 10.
He stood out with several saves, including several linked together around the 40th minute, and decisive passes on long restarts, notably to Dylan Nahi (22-14, 43rd; 27-18, 50th), the man of the match.
Gérard “happy to get back to work”
“I am happy to have been able to congratulate the guys in person for their exceptional performance (at the Euro), we all vibrated, me first in front of our screen.
I am very happy to see the good energy emanating from the group and to return to work with a view to the six months that await us,” declared Gérard at the microphone of BeIN Sports.
🤾♂️ Trophée des Continents
🇫🇷🇦🇷 Vincent Gérard: "I'm happy to be back, without pain"#HandAction pic.twitter.com/qok2Omt8In
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 14, 2024
“I am happy with my return, to no longer have pain, to be able to concentrate on the hand and much less on the physical,” added Gérard, who returned to competition on February 18 in Proligue after eight months without playing.
The Blues of goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, back in the selection after a year of absence, will face Egypt this Saturday at 4:15 p.m., again in Montpellier.