Handball World Cup: Three Nîmes and five Montpellier residents in the extended list of the French team including Arthur Lenne and Guéric Vincent

Arthur Lenne et Guéric Vincent sont dans la liste de 35. Michaël Esdourrubailh et Alexis Béthune – Midi Libre

The French handball team unveiled this Friday, November 15, the composition of its expanded list to compete in the next World Cup (January 14 to February 2), which includes three players from Usam Nîmes and five from MHB.

There are currently 35 of them, but there will only be 16 on each match sheet at the next World Handball Championship, a competition organized by Denmark, Norway and Croatia from January 14 to February 2, 2025.

This Friday, Guillaume Gille and the staff of the French handball teamhave unveiled this extended list which includes five players from MHB and three from Usam Nîmes. All these players are likely to be called up for the end-of-year preparation camp, while Gille had called up 23 during the camp before the European title in 2024.

Five possible changes during the competition

There will then only be 16 for each match – plus two reserves in the stands – while the French management will be able to make a total of five changes to this list of 18 players during the entire competition.

Among the lucky ones, Montpellier goalkeepers Charles Bolzinger (15 caps) and Rémi Desbonnet (50) are there, as is Nîmes' Wesley Pardin (33). Also present on this list are USAM defender Jean-Jacques Acquevillo (14), MHB defender Karl Konan (44), and Hérault right winger Yanis Lenne (62).

In the 35, Nîmes' left winger Guéric Vincent appears for the first time, having never been selected for the Blues. Arthur Lenne, MHB pivot, is also on this list with two selections to his name.

Prandi and Mahé on the list

Vincent is not the only rookie since Théo Avelange Demouge (right winger, Nantes), Lucas de La Bretèche (center half, Nantes), Noah Gaudin (center half, Skjern), Valentin Kieffer (goalkeeper, Chambéry), Tom Pelayo (right back, Dunkerque), Benjamin Richert (right winger, Chambéry) and Queido Traoré (left winger, Chambéry) are part of the lot.

Injured during the last match of the Blues – and for several months according to his club PSG – Left back Elohim Prandi was also included in this extended list by Guillaume Gille and his staff. Just like Gummersbach center half Kentin Mahé, who had elbow surgery this week.

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