Three-time World Champion, European Champion, and Olympic Champion, the Nice-born handball player Xavier Barachet will be one of the major absentees from the European Championship starting this Friday in Poland.
Injured in his left knee, the French international has decided to withdraw to preserve his chances of participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio.
While in training with his club Paris Saint-Germain, he found time to answer our questions.
Nice Premium: First of all Xavier, how is your knee, and when do you think you will return to the field?
Xavier Barachet: The knee is much better. At one point, we feared it might be a torn cruciate ligament, but it wasn’t that serious in the end. I almost felt capable of playing in the Euro, but with the France team staff, we decided it was better not to risk aggravating the injury. By staying in Paris, I can best prepare for the resumption of the championship (editor’s note: February 4th), and I still have all my chances to participate in the Olympics next August.
Nice Premium: This is only the second time since your debut with the national team that you miss a major international competition. How are you handling this situation?
XB: Since 2009, it’s true that I had gotten used to spending January with the French team. Now, staying at home feels strange. Watching your teammates leave without you is never easy, but this time it was more reasonable to withdraw. Whether with my club PSG or with the national team, there are still many important events to come this season.
Les Experts still European champions and Cavigal in D2
Nice Premium: In addition to your absence, the French team has to deal with an impressive number of withdrawals. Accambray, Fernandez, Grebille, N’Guessan… Despite these absences, do you think the French team can win the Euro?
Honestly, yes. Even with key players missing, I think they can do it. Don’t forget that most of the core players will be there, and the others have shown great things during preparation. We’ve seen young talents, and if they’re well-guided by the main squad, it can really work. In any case, I believe in them.
Nice Premium: Last question, regarding Cavigal from Nice this time. It’s a club dear to you; you were trained there, and your father was president for many years. What do you think of the current team? Do you think they will finally manage to move up to Pro D2?
XB: Since I left for Chambéry in 2006, I’ve always kept a close eye on Cavigal’s results. Every year I hope to see them climb to Pro D2, but there’s always something missing. They get closer each year, and with Edu (Eduardo Fernandez Roura) as coach, I think they can finally do it. I played with him at Ciudad Real (Spain), he’s a great technician with a lot of experience. I hope he can lift the team to the professional level and maybe, in a few years, I could end my career in Nice.
by Jordan Perronneau