Toulouse. Call him doctor… or Sébastien!
The Fenix Toulouse doctor was also that of the French team for 17 years, between October 2004 and December 2021. Pierre Sébastien lived through the boom years of French handball which earned him the title of the most “titled doctor “of French sport (1). He returns for us to this wonderful parenthesis of his life.
The page had to be turned and the book closed. After 14 years in the service of tricolor handball players, Pierre Sébastien, 62, ceased his duties with the Blues at the end of last year. A sporting and human adventure rich in titles and encounters to which the Fenix Toulouse doctor was kind enough to return by digging into the cabinet of memories.
Pierre, how did you find yourself doctor for the France team?
Following a simple phone call from Claude Onesta. It was in October 2004. Claude calls me, says that the doctor of the France team cannot accompany the Blues to the World Cup in Sweden. It was a Thursday, we had to leave the following Monday. I said okay. You talk, it’s like asking a blind man if he wants to see! From there, I never left the Blues. The players and Olivier Girault in the lead, had asked the staff that I stay. So I continued with the World Cup in Tunisia in January 2005.
And from there, you will live an exceptional period. How do you explain the success of this team under the Onesta era?
We had good players first, obviously. Then there is also the system put in place by Claude Onesta. In 2006, we started touring the clubs where our internationals played, in France and in Europe. It was quite innovative. The clubs were surprised that we were interested in their problems, especially with internationals. I think it was founding. And then Claude often said: “We are not at the top of the class.” But we had a united staff that never stopped moving forward. The credo was: “Today, what didn’t we do well and what could we have done better?” It was a very motivating environment for the players. Without forgetting this kind of freedom that Claude left to the players who provided in return to be totally invested in the important moments of the day. The rest, the life of the group, was up to them to manage. The hallmark of the France team is that the guys were happy to be there!
Of all the campaigns you have attended, is there one more successful than the others?
Without hesitation: the Beijing Olympics! It’s still the first Olympic title and then frankly, we felt that nothing could happen to us. Every day, something happens but each time, the next day, we find the solution. And then there was this epic semi-final against the Croats (25-23). The guys were able to find resources to win it in the last five minutes. Behind, in the final, on a dominated Iceland.
Was there a particular game that stuck in your throat?
The semi-final of the 2007 World Cup (lost 32-31 in overtime against the host country, editor’s note), I think we are being robbed! It’s a flight organized by the IHF, by Germany, everyone wants Germany to be world champions at home. Well she was…
And if we were talking about an unforgettable match, which one would it be?
The Euro 2014 final against Denmark (32-41). There are 15,000 spectators in Herning, an impressive atmosphere. The more the Danes whistle, the more you feel that our players are growing. I see Nikola Karabatic telling me “we’re going to blow them up!” He matched the action to the word: he took the first ball, knocked over everything in his path and scored by taking everything! The room suddenly becomes mute. This match was so successful, everything we touch, we turn it into a goal. I think we could have played against anyone, God, Mars, I don’t know who else, we would have passed! We punished the Danes at home, in front of their public.
You ceased your duties with the Blues at the end of last year. A difficult decision to make?
No, I don’t regret my choice. It was time to leave. This team needs a new doctor, who has gas, who wants to prove. Me, I lost this flame a little with the titles, there is this gas that I no longer have and that this team deserves. There is an honesty that you owe to this team. It was time for me.
But you are still the Fenix Toulouse doctor!
Yes, until President Dallard throws me out (laughs). Toulouse is my home, I am at home. We have fun here. We do with our little means, just the opposite of the France team. The success of this team is knowing how to unearth affordable talent. We will look elsewhere for what others do not see (smile).