Euro handball: Olivier Krumbholz, the man who talks cash to the Blue

Since this Sunday, he has been the coach with 11 medals. He hoped for gold, but is satisfied with the silver, judging “quite logical” the Norwegian success this Sunday in the final of the Euro (22-20) against the Blue. For more than twenty years, apart from the period between 2013 and 2016, Olivier Krumbholz, 62, has masterfully – and ironically – led these girls who have to envy only an Olympic gold medal to their male counterparts. Praised for his leadership qualities and his expertise, the man is also renowned for his high standards and sometimes his anger. In any case, it leaves no one indifferent.

Former player, international (9 selections in 1983), this pure Lorrain turned 28 years old to the post of trainer, first at ASPTT Metz for nine years, then with the France Junior women’s team, and the A from 1998. Under her leadership, the Habs became vice-world champions the year following her arrival, losing only one goal (24-25) against Norway, after two extra times.

Eric Baradat joined him as a deputy in 2003, the year of the first world title of the Bleues: “Olivier is a friend of absolute loyalty, my brother in arms,” ​​says the current head of the Federal Women’s Performance Plan. (PPF) at the FFHB. I learned a lot from him. If we have to define it, I would say that it is intelligence itself in the field. He knows how to optimize the teams and has often succeeded in obtaining results when he did not always have the same quality of players. “

“He is an innovator, always ahead”

“It is a handball Terminator, made in the old fashioned way, a loyal, straightforward and lucid type which represents all of French women’s handball,” says Philippe Bana, former DTN and new president of the Federation. He is also an innovator, always ten years ahead. When he arrived in early 98, he wanted three things: logistics software that had just been released, to play against South Korea, at the time one of the best teams in the world, and for me to come and sit with him on the bench because he didn’t trust anyone else… ”

Now commentator on beIN Sports, Amélie Goudjo (40 years old) wore the Blue jersey between 2005 and 2014: “In defense, he’s one of the greatest, recognizes the former Issy-Paris player. He is very demanding on what the team has to produce. I remember his pre-game speeches which made us think well and made us want to go all out. “

With his different groups, Krumbholz won European bronze twice (2002, 2006), was vice-world champion again (2009), but failed in the quarterfinals at the London Games in 2012 (5th). After 413 matches on the French bench, the tactician was replaced in September of the following year: “It was the end of an autocratic system which was seized up, remembers Philippe Bana. I had to make a painful decision. “

A dark side

Three years later, the Phoenix rises from its ashes when his DTN calls him back to help: “We were six months before Rio and he was the only one to know the way. I was sure he was able to come back different. Paradoxically, his stop had appeased him. “” Olivier has not changed, his coaching, yes, adds Eric Baradat. Before, to get results, you had to be interventionist. Today, the human and technical potential at its disposal gives it greater room for maneuver. “

If the tails of this leading wine expert (a passion he shares with his ex-deputy), in love with the Landes coast and Reunion, shines in full light, his face is darker. Strongly marked at the age of fifteen by the disappearance of his father, he felt obliged to succeed: “It made him harder,” says Baradat. He says what he thinks and is able to regret it. But that won’t prevent him from sleeping. “

Removed from the selection before London when she was captain, Amélie Goudjo keeps a very bitter memory: “It was on the way, at the last second, and without argument. The worst moment of my career. We were in the cold for a long time, and then we spoke again, because in life you have to move forward. “” Those who speak the truth are not always loved. And the only thing that matters in sport is the truth, ”concludes Philippe Bana.