A new club for Vincent Gérard, the Blues goalkeeper, to allow him to dream of the Paris Olympics

Vincent Gérard has 150 caps with the French handball team. dpa – Jan Woitas

Goalkeeper of the French handball team crowned at the Tokyo Olympics, Vincent Gérard, without a club five months before those of Paris-2024, has signed up with Istres in the second division, announced Wednesday the Bouches-du-Rhône club.
 

"After playing at Istres Provence Handball from 2008 to 2010, French international Vincent Gérard makes his return to Provence", indicates the fourth Proligue team in a press release posted on its website.

🆕✍️ pic.twitter.com/GN6kom891p

— Istres Provence Handball (@IstresHB) February 14, 2024

Absent from the European coronation of the Blues due to convalescence after pubalgia, Gérard, 37, had terminated his contract the previous week with the German club Kiel, stronghold of the Champions League, which did not count more about him.

"For me the important thing is to play, explains the person concerned daily L'Equipe. No goalkeeper got hurt, and that's good, so no doors opened. I thank Istres who worked hard, we all made an effort."

Paris in the viewfinder

The goalkeeper with 150 caps for the French team, also passed through Montpellier, is aiming for the Paris-2024 Olympic Games, his ultimate challenge, since he has announced his retirement at the end of the season.

"It's not the Champions League, we agree, but they will be high-stakes matches&quot ;, still judges Vincent Gérard about these coming weeks in the second division. "Behind, there is time to take stock of the international level. I've been with the French team for ten years, I also have a little experience. The criteria can be met."

It remains to be seen whether these five months in Proligue will convince coach Guillaume Gille to retain him. Despite the emergence of Samir Bellahcene at the Euro, the boss of the Blues still seemed to count on Vincent Gérard during the tournament, calling him the "taulier".

"Obviously we are concerned when it comes to someone's club situation# 39;also important for the France group. Yes, I'm concerned", the coach commented. "We cannot be insensitive to the difficulties encountered in the club when it comes to a Vincent Gérard."