Thierry Omeyer (32, nickname “Titi”) is currently considered to be the best goalkeeper in the world, and was named World Handball Player of the Year 2008. The goalkeeper of France and also of the German club THW Kiel is going for gold again at EURO 2010, after winning gold medals at the Olympics and the last World Championship in Croatia with France. At both tournaments, Omeyer was named best goalkeeper. In an interview with ehf-euro.com he talks about the strengths of his team, and also discusses their chances for EURO 2010 in Austria.
ehf-euro.com: In January the EURO will be played in Austria – is France again among the big favourites after winning gold medals at the Olympics and the World Championship?
Omeyer: We’re certainly among the favourites as we won the last two big titles and our team has remained almost unchanged. But, to play in and win a EURO is always hard, and we have the greatest respect for all of our opponents. All the top teams have qualified for EURO 2010 and so all matches will be very tough. But we’re aiming for gold again.
ehf-euro.com: Your opponents in the preliminary round won’t be easy to beat, and all the possible teams France can meet in the main round also belong to the group of favourites – which team do you expect to be your main opponent at the EURO?
Omeyer: Croatia is always strong, Denmark as the title defender has a very good team, Spain will return to the elite and Germany is traditionally a candidate for the medals. Four or five teams are capable of becoming the European Champion in Austria.
ehf-euro.com: Is it harder to play a EURO than to play in a World Championship?
Omeyer: Yes, of course, as there are no easy matches, and you have to play at full speed in every match. At a World Championship you have some opponents against whom your key players can rest on the bench – but this is impossible if you want to play a successful EURO.
ehf-euro.com: In Beijing and Croatia France only lost, in total, one match – the unimportant last one in the main round of the WCH in Croatia. Is France currently unbeatable?
Omeyer: I don’t think that we’re unbeatable, but we have a very strong team. At any position we have one or two world-class players who play for world-class clubs such as Kiel, Hamburg, Ciudad Real or Montpellier. We’ve worked together for a long time, we know what we have to do, and how to prepare for such a tournament. If every player is in top form and no one is injured, it’s currently really hard to beat us.
ehf-euro.com: Some weeks ago you were awarded World Handball Player of the Year. What does this award mean to you?
Omeyer: It makes me very proud and it’s also a great honour. I’ve won a lot of titles either with Kiel or France in recent seasons, and I’ve had two very good years. But I don’t consider the award as only being for me. It is also for my teams Kiel and France, as handball is a team sport.
ehf-euro.com: Is it a special honour for French handball that you’re the successor to Nikola Karabatic as the World Handball Player of the Year?
Omeyer: Both titles show the current strength of French handball and also the significance of French players on the world stage.
ehf-euro.com: One reason for the award was your performance at the Olympics in Beijing. Has this been the highlight of your whole career?
Omeyer: Of course! Every sportsmen dreams of participating at the Olympics – and if you win the gold medal, it’s the ultimate prize, the absolute highlight. When I was a boy I dreamt of being at the Olympics, as the Olympics are something very special, and are only held every four years. It’s a tremendous feeling to play for your country, knowing that all those people are looking at you.
