Nedim Remili, Ludovic Fabregas and Dika Mem, the new bosses of the Blues

The Blues face Sweden in the semi-finals of the Euro handball championship, Friday in Cologne, and will count on their three strong men, leaders on and off the field.

They now have the keys to the truck, or as Guillaume Gille says, “These are boys who are gradually taking over the rudder of the France boat”. Nedim Remili, Dika Mem and Ludovic Fabregas, now with several years of international experience, are coming of age to lead the Blues both on and off the field. They will have to assume their status as leaders against Sweden, Friday January 26, in the semi-final of the Euro handball.

Even with the end of Nikola Karabatic’s career approaching, the French team is in good hands. The person himself is helping to bring out new leaders within the Blues. “There are always players who are more exposed, put in the spotlight, and who must take leadership and commitment on the pitch. For them the pressure is greater and obviously I try to give them confidence, to bring my experience from this position, and to transmit good practices”explains the top scorer in Euro history.

Nedim Remili, the custodian of the game

His status as the best decisive passer in the Euro (43) testifies to this, Nedim Remili is the distributor of caviar for the Blues. Placed at the heart of the French team’s offensive play, the Veszprém player “is a big character, a big roomer”but also “someone who is very altruistic, who likes to highlight his teammates”according to his partner in Blue, Dylan Nahi. “The more things progress, the more comfortable he is and he has this vision of the game to delight the pivots, the wingers and almost everyone with balls. He is a leader on and off the field, and he takes “still gaining ground, selection after selection. In addition, he can play center half or right back, so he has a bit of the keys in attack.”adds Benoît Kounkoud.

Also capable of taking shots, as evidenced by his 7/7 against Hungary, the 28-year-old left-hander, often very lively with the media, trains with Dika Mem “a strong axis” of the French team, according to Guillaume Gille. “Since the last Olympic Games, they are very often associated. And within the attack, they are the ones who use the most balls or at least who have the most impact on the play of our team. So s “They have obtained these responsibilities, it proves the regularity of their performances”continues the coach.

Ludovic Fabregas, the most picky

Teammate of Nedim Remili at Veszprém, the 28-year-old pivot is one of the key elements of Guillaume Gille’s group, since he has equally important defensive and offensive roles. However, it is defensively where he makes his voice heard the most. “Everyone gives their opinion, the group is quite open, but before the video sessions, the three of us talk with Ludo and Luka about the defense, and then there is only one who speaks in front of the group. We come to an agreement together, and Ludo is in charge.”, says Karl Konan. Even if he appears more reserved in front of the press, “internally, he is a quiet character but always tries to speak when it comes to giving information, expressing his feelings, thinking about a different articulationsays Guillaume Gille. He has always been very invested in team life, but today he is growing, he is benefiting from the years spent with the blue jersey, and that is already a lot (since 2015) even though he is relatively young..

His speeches in front of the group are facilitated by very meticulous work in preparing the meetings. “The staff shares their video montages and we are free to watch them, but it is true that for me, there is an importance of analysis in the preparation, because we have a perception that we can then share to the group. I try to see the strong points and weak points of the opposing attack, to pay attention to that and then make a few little comments to my friends.”, he explains. Friends who are receptive to his analyses. “Ludo, it’s good that we listen to him a little”smiles Hugo Descat.

Dika Mem, the patient

Arriving in the French team in 2016, the same year as Nedim Remili, Dika Mem is ultimately one of the most experienced Blues, since only six players in the France group have more selections than him in this Euro (123). Respectful, he nevertheless waited his turn to assert himself as a leader. “Niko (Karabatic) made me understand for two or three years that it is up to me to take leadership, but he is still there, there are other elders and I did not want to push anyone around, I did not want to walk in the someone’s flowerbeds. But in the end, if he tells me that I have to do it, it must be like that, he says. From the moment I really understood that I was one of the people who could take this leadership, it happened naturally and that’s what makes today, I really feel like I’m part of a team club from France, for the first time”.

Having become captain at Barcelona, ​​Dika Mem is growing up. “Having the Barça armband obviously means you’re reaching a milestone, whether you like it or not. And yes, maybe that’s what helps me feel legitimate to express myself today”, he continues. A confidence that brings him more regularity on the field. “In other competitions, I could do well, but I was not at the level at which I could be in club, he assures. The right-back can be satisfied with his performances in the selection since he is the Blues’ top scorer in this Euro, and the fifth best scorer in the competition (41 goals from 60 shots).