Guillaume Gille says 'bye, bye, les bleus' 

Guillaume Gille (36), double EHF EURO champion, double world champion and double Olympic champion with France, has announced the end of his international career after 308 caps for “les bleus”.

“The best things come to an end, they say. It was the time to end my experience with the French team. I made the decision after multiple reflections and multiple discussions. Not without a touch of nostalgia I close this chapter of my career," Gille explained in a statement. 

"When I took the time to look back at a few moments on my journey, since November 1996, I realise that road was damn long, sprinkled with incredible victories.

“16 years and 308 international matches later, it's time to finish with great pride and gratitude to all my comrades. My head is full of memories, I leave with a light heart giving my body the opportunity to finish my career in the best conditions.”

After ten years of playing for German side HSV Hamburg, Guillaume and his brother Bertrand had just returned to their former club Chambery Savoie to be in the same team with their youngest brother Benjamin.

After this season Guillaume is suppoosed to become Chambery coach, as he currently is already assistant to head coach Mario Cavalli.

Guillaume Gille has been a major key to all successes of the French team in the previous years which was crowned Olympic champion in 2012 and 2008, world champion in 2011, 2009 and 2001 (without Guillaume Gille) and EHF EURO champions in 2006 and 2012.

On club level he won French and German national championships, won the EHF Cup Winner’s Cup with HSV Hamburg in 2007 and was a three-time VELUX EHF Champions League semi-finalist with the German side.