Images of Patrice Canayer's last evening at the helm of Montpellier Handball

A guard of honor to thank Patrice Canayer for thirty years at the head of the MHB. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

This Friday, May 31, Patrice Canayer led his last match on the MHB bench after thirty years at the head of the team. An evening marked by a great victory against Toulouse (33-25) but above all a lot of emotions.

And time stopped at the last minute of a match won a long time ago (33-25). Usually, it is Patrice Canayer himself who crushes the buzzer to ask for a final time-out not always very appreciated by the opponent. Last night, it was his goalkeeper Rémi Desbonnet who took care of it, giving him sixty seconds of a huge ovation in the middle of the field. The party could begin and the tributes followed.

David Degouy, the assistant who will join Nîmes next season, Benjamin Joris, the physical trainer, the former Marko Panic, soon at Plock, and the young Adrien Dubois (Nancy), Alexis Berthier (Dijon) and Mathieu Cornette (Cournon-d’Auvergne) came in turn to seek a little comfort. Next summer, they will have a change of scenery.

A hedge of honor and love

Then it was definitely Patrice Canayer’s turn. With a guard of honor and love shared with great alumni, volunteers, friends, family. The "Patrice, Patrice" then rushed down from the stands and the images of 30 years of exploits lit up the FDI Stadium. There were also speeches, heartfelt testimonies, gifts and promises. That of not misusing one's heritage in particular.

Patrice Canayer, arms crossed, his gaze sometimes lost in the spotlight and his eyes red with emotion, waited wisely for the moment to conclude and say a few words. A word chosen as usual: "I gave a lot but I also received a lot over 30 years. The first word that comes to me is gratitude."He then offered his thanks. To his family, his wife, his daughters, his grandchildren, his brother and of course his mother.

The final advice for Karl Konan, Patrice Canayer remained pro to the tips of his nails. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

The friends arrived just after and a little before the elected officials and employees of the club without whom the MHB adventure would not have been possible. Patrice Canayer finally saluted the men who counted a little more than the others: Georges Frêche, Jean-Paul Lacombe, André Deljarry, Rémy Lévy, Robert Molines… And ended up apologizing to all those players "for pushing them for 30 years." Hello artist!

Patrice Canayer's last talk before the match against Toulouse. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

Tribute evening also for the Bonaventura sisters who refereed their last Starligue match. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh