Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Sandy Toletti and Sakina Karchaoui, the “made in Montpellier” experience ready to challenge Colombia

Sandie Toletti, midfielder trained in Montpellier who flourished at Real Madrid. MAXPPP – NICOLAS GOISQUE

A 28 ans, Sakina Karchaoui, 76 sélections, fait désormais partie des cadres de la sélection. MAXPPP – NICOLAS GOISQUE

The Real Madrid midfielder and the PSG defender, trained at MHSC, are now part of the experienced executives. A baggage that they want to put at the service of the quest for gold starting this Thursday (9 p.m.) in Lyon against Colombia.

"We never forget where we come from. It was in Montpellier that I became the player and the woman that I am. I was lucky enough to be trained there and I hope that many of them will push behind us."< /p>

There is a recognition tinged with sincerity in Sakina Karchaoui's voice. At 28, the Salon native remained marked by her six years with the Hérault club. A launching pad towards its first Olympics, in 2016 in Rio, then at PSG in this left corridor that the side tirelessly surveys.

"We want to bring home a medal"

"After the World Cup, playing a second competition of this caliber at home is a rare privilege, she admits. We are ready and we really hope to bring home a medal, we have everything on our side."

At 29 years old, Sandie Toletti infuses a speech bathed in the same measured confidence: "We can't wait to enter the competition. We know we are expected but the accumulated experience must help us manage this pressure. We are in our bubble, well prepared."

On the big day, this Thursday evening in Lyon against Colombia, the midfielder with 56 caps awaits it as one more challenge. The little guard who touched her first balls at Cavillargues then at Bagnols, then shaped in the MHSC nursery, has taken on another dimension since her departure to Real Madrid two years ago.

"We gained experience"

"This is an everyday requirement. in the morning you know you have to give everything for this jersey. It brought me a lot."

The memory of the quarter-final lost against Canada at the 2016 Games is erased by these new certainties: "We were very young back then; time, we have gained experience, we are physically and mentally prepared to play every three days."

"At the time, I was young, I had to make my place, adds Karchaoui, who will celebrate his 76th cap against Colombia. Today my maturity allows me to help the youngest and put them at ease."

And the fact of being currently exiled in Lyon does not cut them off from this Olympic feeling which seems to be sending all the Blues towards another dimension. "We are in the JO universe, we feel like we are in the village", assures Toletti who senses "exceptional support of supporters". A story in the making ?