Romania vs France handball preview with Alexandru Simicu, Digi Mart USA News (Aix-en-Provence, France): Former Saint-Raphaël Var handball left-back Alexandru Simicu, who retired in 2022 but remains connected to the club, previews Romania’s match against France this evening at the Arena du Pays d’Aix. The 38-year-old Romanian, who earned 34 caps and played at a World Championship at just 17, says he expects a competitive match with Romania leading at halftime before France takes over late in the game.
Simicu says Romania has strong physical qualities but lacks tactical structure, particularly in defensive pressure and in preventing easy goals on fast breaks. He adds that his team rarely wins with a large margin and lacks a killer mentality.
He expressed hope that Bogdan Voina, recently elected president of the Romanian federation and steeped in the French handball culture, will have time to develop a new generation of players. Simicu also praised former Saint-Raphaël goalkeeper Mihai Popescu, who retired from the national team after being named MVP of his final match at Euro 2026 and still plays for Turda at age 41.
Romania has also added French former national team player Cédric Sorhaindo to its staff. Simicu noted that Sorhaindo brings experience from France’s national team, which includes an Olympic title, four world titles and two European titles, as well as his years at Barcelona from 2010 to 2021.
Simicu called France complete and placed it among the top three teams alongside Denmark, with Germany and Croatia also in form.
Simicu also discussed Dinamo Bucharest, which recently qualified for the main round of the Champions League after a 36-26 win at Montpellier. He said the club has backing from major investors and has spent seven to eight years developing its project, adding that Romanian clubs need more teams at that level to help players progress.
Simicu, who played seven seasons in France, said he faced France as a junior and knows most of the French players. Since retiring, he has focused on real estate, dealing in construction materials and property, and says he hopes one day to become a sponsor of Saint-Raphaël and give back to the club.
