The French handball national team gathers in Créteil to prepare for their first two Euro 2028 qualifying matches.
The French handball national team has kicked off its summer preparation with a crucial training camp at the Maison du handball in Créteil. The objective is clear: to approach the first two rounds of qualification for the 2028 European Championship in the best possible form. Les Tricolores must first face Romania next Thursday before taking on Latvia on Sunday. This double confrontation marks the official start of the competitive season for the national group under the guidance of coach Talant Dujshebaev.
Beyond the simple dynamics of physical and tactical preparation, this call-up provided the coach with an opportunity to revisit a specific file. Talant Dujshebaev indeed attempted to convince former international Timothey N'Guessan to retire from his sporting hiatus. This initiative illustrates the technical staff's willingness to probe the limits of the current squad and assess whether the strategic needs of the 2028 project justify the return of an experienced profile. The French coach therefore used this window of opportunity to open a direct dialogue with the player.
The context of these qualifying matches is determinative for the continuation of the Tricolores' journey. Securing an initial success against Romania, a formidable side in Europe, would allow the campaign to start ideally. The subsequent operations, with a match against Latvia, will then offer a test to consolidate the group dynamics. The squad called up this week must rapidly gain cohesion in order to maximize the points at stake in these initial two rounds.
The decision regarding Timothey N'Guessan does not stop at a simple attempt at contact. It is part of a broader reflection on bench depth and the international experience necessary to face the younger players of the tournament. Even if the player has expressed his desire to withdraw from international competition, the door is not completely closed on the side of the selector, who remains open to discussions. This flexibility allows the option to be kept open without imposing a forced return.
The entire technical staff is now working behind the scenes on position rotation and fatigue management. The coming days will be dedicated to video analysis and the establishment of collective automatic routines. The imminent arrival of the 2028 European competition makes every strategic detail, including personnel choices, particularly sensitive. The French team seeks above all to establish a culture of sustainable and reliable performance for upcoming deadlines.
Beyond the simple dynamics of physical and tactical preparation, this call-up provided the coach with an opportunity to revisit a specific file. Talant Dujshebaev indeed attempted to convince former international Timothey N'Guessan to retire from his sporting hiatus. This initiative illustrates the technical staff's willingness to probe the limits of the current squad and assess whether the strategic needs of the 2028 project justify the return of an experienced profile. The French coach therefore used this window of opportunity to open a direct dialogue with the player.
The context of these qualifying matches is determinative for the continuation of the Tricolores' journey. Securing an initial success against Romania, a formidable side in Europe, would allow the campaign to start ideally. The subsequent operations, with a match against Latvia, will then offer a test to consolidate the group dynamics. The squad called up this week must rapidly gain cohesion in order to maximize the points at stake in these initial two rounds.
The decision regarding Timothey N'Guessan does not stop at a simple attempt at contact. It is part of a broader reflection on bench depth and the international experience necessary to face the younger players of the tournament. Even if the player has expressed his desire to withdraw from international competition, the door is not completely closed on the side of the selector, who remains open to discussions. This flexibility allows the option to be kept open without imposing a forced return.
The entire technical staff is now working behind the scenes on position rotation and fatigue management. The coming days will be dedicated to video analysis and the establishment of collective automatic routines. The imminent arrival of the 2028 European competition makes every strategic detail, including personnel choices, particularly sensitive. The French team seeks above all to establish a culture of sustainable and reliable performance for upcoming deadlines.
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Source: Ouest-France