2024-11-05 01:53:00
In handball, a new era is taking shape among the Blues. Ludovic <a href="https://www.archyde.com/handball-karabatic-and-gerard-in-the-list-of-the-blues-for-the-euro/" title="Handball: Karabatic and Gérard in the list of the Blues for the Euro”>Fabregas was elected the new captain of the France team on Monday, replacing Luka Karabatic who wanted to hand over because he could not “project” himself until the 2028 Olympic Games.
“I discussed it with “Gino” (coach Guillaume Gille) some time ago. It was a desire on my part: the French team is entering a new four-year cycle, and four years is a long time, I can’t project myself that far, I think it’s a good thing to “anticipate,” explained Luka Karabatic.
Digesting the failure of the Olympics
The youngest of the Karabatic brothers, aged 36 (162 caps), therefore hands over the armband to Fabregas (28 years, 149 caps) after the failure of the Olympics, where the Blues were eliminated in the quarter-finals and where he -even been below its usual level.
“It seemed quite unlikely or quite unrealistic to him to imagine that he could be part of the duration of this cycle which takes us to Los Angeles (2028 Olympics) and the 2029 World Cup (which France will organize with Germany). There was the desire for him to pass on the armband, which opened a moment of election: the players elected their captain,” declared Gille, coach of the Blues meeting since Monday at the Maison du handball in Créteil, in Val-de-Marne, for the first time since the Olympics. They will face Sweden on Wednesday in Orléans then Norway on Saturday in Stavanger as part of the EHF Euro Cup 2026.
Guillaume Gille further emphasized that “it was jointly that this decision (had fallen)”. “(It comes) both from Luka’s initiative and from the “process” that has been ours for several seasons: there is often at the start of the season a sort of vote of confidence to know if the representatives are still the right ones. “.
Fabregas sees it as “a very exciting challenge”
Fabregas, a pivot in defense like Luka Karabatic but also playing in attack, received the armband “with great pleasure”. “It’s a real opportunity and pride, I hope to fulfill this mission as best as possible. The task is not necessarily simple, the responsibility is all the more important given the situation in which we find ourselves. It’s a very exciting challenge from a personal and collective point of view,” added the player from Veszprem (Hungary), Olympic (2021), world (2017) and European (2024) champion.
“I know that the French team and the captaincy are in good hands,” also affirmed Luka Karabatic, who had been the captain since the fall of 2022, succeeding Valentin Porte who had decided to concentrate on the role alone. of player. “I got older at the start of this new training course, many emblematic players stopped. My role has evolved a little, I have a bit of an elder role which can stand on its own,” explained Luka Karabatic.
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**Interview with Ludovic Fabregas, Newly Elected Captain of the French Handball Team**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ludovic. Congratulations on being elected the new captain of the France handball team! Can you tell us about how you felt when you received the news?
**Ludovic Fabregas:** Thank you! It’s truly an honor to be chosen as the captain of such a rich and talented team. I felt a mix of excitement and responsibility. Captaining France is a privilege, and I’m ready to lead the team into this new era.
**Interviewer:** This transition comes after Luka Karabatic decided to step down. How did it feel to take over from such an iconic player in French handball?
**Ludovic Fabregas:** Luka has been not just a teammate but a mentor and friend. His leadership has significantly shaped the team’s success over the years. I have huge respect for him and his contributions, and I intend to honor that legacy while bringing my own style of leadership to the team.
**Interviewer:** Luka mentioned he struggled to envision himself through to the 2028 Olympics. As you embark on this new four-year cycle, what are your thoughts on setting goals for the team?
**Ludovic Fabregas:** We have to approach this new cycle with ambition and focus. While the disappointment from the recent Olympics still lingers, it’s crucial that we learn from it. My goal as captain is to foster a strong team spirit and ensure that every player feels valued. We want to work together towards winning the World Championship in 2029, which is especially significant as it will be hosted in France.
**Interviewer:** How do you plan to build camaraderie and resilience within the team after the recent quarter-final exit from the Olympics?
**Ludovic Fabregas:** Communication is key. I want to create an environment where every player feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. We’ll be focusing on our training regimen and preparing mentally. Building trust among teammates will be essential, not just on the court but off it as well.
**Interviewer:** Turning the page from the disappointments of the past, what excites you most about the future of the French handball team?
**Ludovic Fabregas:** I’m truly excited about the talent we have. There’s a mix of experienced players and young, energetic ones who are eager to learn and contribute. This is a fantastic opportunity to blend wisdom with youth and reinvigorate our strategy on the court. I believe we can reclaim our place as one of the top teams in the world.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Ludovic. We look forward to seeing your leadership in action!
**Ludovic Fabregas:** Thank you! I appreciate the support and look forward to what’s ahead for all of us in the French handball team.
