Dinart ends trophy-laden career

Didier Dinart, French defensive specialist and international veteran, announced his international retirement this morning.

After a disappointing World Championship campaign for France in Spain last month, Dinart is the second player from to leave the national team, after goalkeeper Daouda Karaboué announced his intention to retire during the tournament.

It remained unclear whether he would play for France in the EHF EURO 2014 qualification double-header against Norway in April, but he ruled out the possibility.

"There is no point in playing the qualification games if I'm not playing the EURO afterwards," explained Dinart.
Didier Dinart has played almost 400 international games with France and won two EHF EURO titles, three World Championship title, and two Olympic gold medals.

As his career progressed, Dinart became more of a defensive specialist, very rarely crossing the half-way line on the court and scored just one goal in the EHF EURO 2012.
He will continue to play with his PSG team, for what could be his last playing season. His future is still unclear, as he has signalled his intention to be involved in coaching in the future.

"The game against Croatia was my last one. I might stop with Paris as well, but who knows, there's still the Champions League to be played.

I think I've done my time, I've given everything I could. At some point, you've got to do something else. My future? Well we'll see.

The federation hasn't contated me yet, but I want to remain in the handball world, I want to train. Paris might propose something to me as well, so we'll see," Dinart told beINsport.

France are joint top of Group 3 in the EHF EURO 2014 qualifiers, two wins against Norway would secure their place at the finals in Denmark next January.