2024-01-18 23:12:00
And one more record for the stainless Nikola Karabatic. The left back of the French handball team largely contributed to his team’s victory over Croatia (34-32), Thursday in Cologne (Germany), by scoring 5 goals. The Blues are well on their way to qualifying for the semi-finals of the Euro. And, in passing, Karabatic, 39, broke a new record: that of the number of goals at the Euro (289, for his 11th participation).
“I like stats but the world of handball is not the United States. I would have liked to know how many shots, I would have liked to know my assists, lots of things… But I’m not going to be choosy,” he said.
“I know it could stop at any moment”
“I think my mother is happier than me,” the French handball star laughed. She called me before the match saying: the record, the record… I told her: mom, don’t put pressure on me! »
Nikola Karabatic then put things into perspective: “Mikkel (Hansen) will pass me by (the Dane has 276 goals, Editor’s note), but hey, I would have had this record at least today. (…) All my career, of course, I have played for records. This year, it’s not the records that I have in mind, it’s the pleasure on the field. I know it can stop at any moment and it really allows me to be in the moment. »
Luka Karabatic, the captain of the France team, praised his brother’s performance: “He always has things to beat but he doesn’t play for that. (…) It’s not just the goals, it’s everything that’s around too. He is a player who is so complete. He can make differences anywhere on the pitch. And also on actions in defense, which are extremely important. There you go, it’s Nikola Karabatic. »
As for Guillaume Gille, coach of the Blues and former teammate of the French full-back, he is still under the spell: “It’s amazing. But what else can surprise us from Niko? He wrote his name at the top of all the lists, all the rankings. The other day, when he celebrated his 350th selection, we also glossed over that a bit. For him, there are so many things surrounding his career that it’s almost anecdotal. »
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