French handball players choosing to play abroad, Digi Mart USA News (France): Nine of the nineteen players on Talant Dujshebaev’s latest France squad for the Euro 2028 qualifiers compete in the Daikin Starligue, according to the publisher’s report. The qualifiers begin Thursday evening in Aix against Romania.
The minority has grown with the departures of winger Julien Bos to Kielce and playmaker Aymeric Minne, who made the move from Nantes to Flensburg in Germany this summer. Minne said that discovering another environment helps his development, explaining that it offers a different culture, different atmospheres and a way to enrich his game.
Nicolas Tournat made a similar move, leaving Nantes for Poland in 2020 before returning four years later. He said that a foreign experience is important in a sporting career and that new skills can be gained wherever a player goes.
For him, working with coach Talant Dujshebaev at Kielce was a key benefit.
Elohim Prandi, who has played in France throughout his professional career, said the best players do not necessarily need a strong domestic league to succeed with the national team. He noted that many France players once starred at home and won with the national team, but that the appeal of foreign experience is understandable.
He pointed to the current draw of the Bundesliga in Germany.
Charles Bolzinger, who wants to leave Montpellier when his contract ends in 2027, is another example. Montpellier president Julien Deljarry told L’Equipe he regretted the decision but said a player cannot be blamed for pursuing a dream.
Dujshebaev also said he does not argue that players should leave the French league, but noted that the best recent French players have played for top clubs, not all of them in France.
Club performance is also a factor. This season, Nantes and Montpellier dropped into the European League, and only Paris Saint-Germain advanced in the Champions League.
Fabrice Boutet, president of the Ligue Nationale de Handball, said salary levels, player development and stronger European campaigns are needed to keep French players at home, calling the French league the second-best in the world.
The women’s game shows a different picture. Last season Metz won the Champions League and Dijon won the European League.
Women’s national team coach Sébastien Gardillou said French clubs have improved their economic and human resources so players no longer need to leave to reach the top. Brest Bretagne Handball will add Norwegian Henny Ella Reistad next season.
Of the 18 players on Gardillou’s latest list, 14 play in France. The France women’s team will play in Poland next month seeking a second European title since 2018.
