Toulouse. Martins Vieira: “We don’t play ugly handball”
The Portuguese-born Fenix Toulouse left-back reunites with his fellow countrymen Benfica Lisbon tonight. He talks about the rise of Fenix and that of Portuguese handball.
At 22, Gonçalo Martins Vieira is playing his second season in the Fenix Toulouse jersey. The Portuguese left-back, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon, has chosen to extend the Toulouse adventure until 2024.
Gonçalo, what prompted you to extend your contract with Toulouse?
I think it’s the right place to progress. I familiarized myself with the environment, the club evolved at a good level, we play the European Cup, here, I live a good experience.
your arrival at Fenix, in which areas have you progressed?
Physically first and on the defensive sector. I have raised my level, things are going better in this regard.
Do you like the game advocated at Fenix?
Oh yes! We have an atypical game, our attacking game is interesting, attractive. Frankly, we don’t play lousy handball. We designed speed, it runs, it traces and me, it suits me!
Well, tonight, you find Benfica on your way. You who are a native of Porto, who played for Sporting, does that awaken a feeling of rivalry in you?
No (laughs). I’m not very keen on the rivalry between the three clubs. It is also much more marked in football than in handball.
Portuguese handball seems to be doing well with three clubs qualified in 8th place in European cups (1). Is that your opinion too?
Indeed, the clubs are progressing, the national team too. We are better treated, the aura of our sport develops at home. People pay more attention to our results. Afterwards, for our young players, it’s a shame that there are only these three professional clubs. You have to be lucky to insert them.
Well, what do you fear tonight against Benfica?
Their defense, very solid and then their workforce, made up of many internationals. They still have a different budget than ours.
What are your chances on this round trip confrontation?
Everything will depend on what we are going to do tonight. This first match is decisive. We know it will be very hard against Benfica but there is always something to do.