Never in the history of handball has one national team been Olympic, world and European champions at the same time. Until the emergence of an incredible generation Claude Onesta, which has been running for two years.
The French started their incredible string of trophies at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, continued five months later at the World Championship in Croatia, and completed the hat-trick less than 12 months ago at the Old Continent Championship in Austria. Before the 22nd Handball World Cup, which starts tomorrow in Sweden, there is only one question - can anyone stop Nikola Karabatić, Thierry Omeier, The face of Abalo and comrades?
Bookmakers have no dilemma, the odds on defending gold is 2,35. Croatia, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Germany may be able to prevent the chanting of the "Marseillaise" at the victory ceremony, if it is to be judged by expectations.
However, there is no doubt who is the absolute favorite. Even if it won't be great Daniel Narcissus and the first back alternatives Guillaume Zila...
- These problems do not disturb my sleep. I understand the absence of players as something inevitable, that's why we tried to find the right formula despite the absence of Narsis and Žil. I think this championship was created for Javier Baraşe - said Onesta.
A great strategist, who after the gold at the World Championship in 2001 inherited of Daniel Constantine on the "tricolor" bench, he knows that his team cannot walk to the second consecutive, i.e. the fourth title of the planet's champion.
- I do not agree with the assessments that we will easily reach gold. This team can continue the great streak, but we should be aware that the rivals are "sharpened" and have great quality - concluded Onesta.
Croatia has been France's biggest rival for years. "Cowboys" will be led by the former captain from the bench for the first time in a major competition Slavko Goluža, who succeeded the controversial Lin Červar, and on the field it is known who everything revolves around - the phenomenal Ivan Balić.
The two most dominant world selections met a few days ago in the final of the tournament in Paris, and the French won 28:27. The "Gaelic Roosters" thus continued the series from the finals of the last European and World Championships.
- We still need half a minute of good play to beat the French - assessed Balić. - We worked their defense about twenty times, and a small drop in concentration in the attack brought us the victory. We just need a little more training to play the offense and everything will be fine.
Denmark, Poland, Germany and the native Sweden, which will open the championship with tonight's duel with weak Chile (20.15), are waiting for a chance from the edge, and the bookies single out Spain as the third favorite. And only because of one man - Arpad Šterbik. The great goalkeeper has finally received permission to play for the "red" fury" and will be a great asset of the coach with the most trophies in the history of Barcelona, Valera Rivera.
The most difficult group is certainly C, which includes, in addition to Croatia, Denmark, Serbia, Romania, Australia and Algeria. Three teams from four groups advance to the second stage.
Group A
Friday:
France - Tunisia (18)
Germany - Egypt (18.15)
Spain - Bahrain (20.15)
Group B
Friday:
Iceland - Hungary (17)
Norway - Japan (19.10)
Austria - Brazil (21.30)
Group C
Friday:
Croatia - Romania (18)
Denmark - Australia (20.15)
Serbia - Algeria (20.45)
Group D
Thursday:
Sweden - Chile (20.15)
Friday:
South Korea - Argentina (18.15)
Poland - Slovakia (20.15)
Bonus video:
