World champion duo boost Brest Bretagne's hopes

Boosted by two newly-crowned world champions, Allison Pineau and Cleopatre Darleux, Brest Bretagne hope for a brighter future in international competitions.

The French runners-up were taught a tough lesson in their maiden EHF Champions League season. Drawn in the “group of death” with Györ, Rostov and Midtjylland and hit hard by the long-term injury of Allison Pineau, Brest were defeated six times in six matches – despite some strong performances.

Now, Pineau is back, after playing a successful role in the French national team at Germany 2017. With her, Brest's chances of proceeding to the EHF Cup quarter-finals, as in the previous season, look much better. However facing Randers, Craiova and Krasnodar in group A mean there are still challenges ahead.

“It is highly important for us and the development of the team that we are still part of international competitions, though the schedule in January and February will be extremely tough,” says coach Laurent Bezeau.

With almost half his squad coming off the back of the World Championship in Germany, Bezeau must now refocus the team to make sure they are ready for the task ahead.

Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA)

Qualification for the 2017/18 EHF Cup group phase: French champions, fourth ranked in EHF Champions League group phase

Newcomers: Louise Sand (Sävehof) Filippa Idehn (Esberg), Pauline Coatanea (Nantes), Jovan Stoiljkovic (Nantes), Sladjana Pop-Lazic (Metz), Lindsay Burlet (Metz), Sophie Herbrecht (Chambray)

Left the club: Alice Durand, Nabila Tizi, Deborah Dangueger (Issy Paris), Marine Desgrolard (Chambray), Stéphanie Akoa N’sama (end of career), Gaëlle Le Hir (end of career)

Coach: Laurent Bezeau (since 2013)

Team captain: Astride N’Gouan

EHF Women’s Champions League records:

Group Phase 2017/18

Other EC records:

EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2016/17004/05

French league: - (runners-up 2017)

French Cup: -