Toulouse Fenix wants to find Europe
The 2021/2022 season ended in 7th place for Toulouse residents exhausted by the rhythm of European competitions and a very tough championship. It is therefore a private team from Europe for the first time in two years that will present itself at the Palais des Sports in Toulouse at the beginning of September.
A good European course and a disappointing end to the season, that’s what sums up last season on the side of Toulouse. Coach Danijel Andjelkovic looks back on the season.
” Last season, we were European, the number of matches was very substantial, out of 51 matches played, 14 of them in Europe with only 3 defeats. The objective, at the start of the season, was to finish in the top 6, in the league, in order to qualify for Europe. Only, during the season, we learned that there would only be five qualified French clubs, but we always kept hope after a good first part of the season. »
” But the number of games began to affect the physical condition of the players a month and a half before the end of the championship. The players were as tired mentally as they were physically. There is not much to say about the attacking aspect of our game and our recruits have had a very good season, especially Erik Balenciaga. The result doesn’t satisfy us, that’s for sure, but on the quality of the game, we’re super happy with what we were able to do. says Andjelkovic.
“6th place remains a goal”
The objectives remain the same, but this time the Fenix and their coach are focusing on continuity. “Compared to last year, we have halved our number of arrivals. Our recruits all have European experience. It was a desire to recruit guys who stay in our game project, to return to Europe, if possible next year and The objectives remain the same, but this time the Fenix and his coach are putting on the continuity.
” Compared to last year, we have halved our number of arrivals. Our recruits all have European experience. It was a desire to recruit guys who remain in our game project, to return to Europe, if possible next year and for that, on a recruit of experienced handball players. The integration of new people will therefore be faster because there are not many of them. The only danger with that is that the current incumbents take their status in the squad for granted with the lack of arrivals. You always have to want more, if you want to hope to progress, that’s something I want to remind my players.
Toulouse bets on players with European experience
Danijel Andjelkovic remains pragmatic about the goals. “Regarding the workforce, I really think we can have the same objective as last year, that is to say to finish in 6th place. There are five teams in front of us who have a level above and who will be difficult to annoy. Now everything is possible, but a 6th place would already be a very good result. But my main objective is above all to develop a beautiful Instagram Fenix Toulouse Handball handball that appeals to the public and my players. »
Andjelkovic’s philosophy is explained by the articulation of his workforce. ” The strength of Fenix Toulouse Handball is its team, what I mean by that is that there are no superstars in the team, we do not have players who can win a match on their own. But this lack of individuality is a compulsory choice due to our financial means. Each of my players gives everything for the team and the collective game. I like to say that our team is family, we pay attention to each other, which gives a great atmosphere in the group and my players are therefore all very close together. »
The Toulouse tactician is therefore making great promises in the game, for the coming season, with a reinforced reinforced workforce and Toulouse residents all united behind the objective of hanging up a potential place in Europe.
The recruit: Bonnefond, thunder from Brest!
29-year-old left-back Baptiste Bonnefond joined Toulouse after playing at Meshkov Brest. His physique and his experience make him a very good recruit. After being allowed to finish the season at USAM, as a medical joker, during the conflict in Ukraine, the left-back finally joined Toulouse for the 2022/2023 season.
The player is well known in the league. Trained at MHB then passed through Aix, it was in 2021 that he went into exile in Belarus, at Meshkov Brest. His time in Montpellier and in the Belarusian club allowed him to discover the European level. In addition to his experience, Baptiste Bonnefond still has an impressive physique (1m93 for 97 kg) as well as a remarkable explosiveness which makes him an effective player on both sides of the field.
Fanch Tessier-Merhand