After appearing at four Olympic Games in five editions throughout the 1980s and 1990s (1980, 1984, 1988 and 1996), Algeria have not appeared at the global event for the past six editions.<\/p>\n
But 28 years after that last appearance they hope the run will end as they look to battle through the Men\u2019s Olympic Qualification Tournament 2 in Hanover, Germany and be one of two teams to grab a direct ticket through to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, they lost their opener (41:29) against the strong host nation but the African silver medallists had to reset quickly as they prepare for their clash against Austria on Saturday, hoping to get off the mark and keep their hopes alive for that first Olympic spot since Atlanta 1996.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that we are a little nation here and that Germany are a big team with big players who play at the biggest clubs,\u201d said Algeria\u2019s centre back Nori Selim Benhalima to ihf.info after training on Friday afternoon at the ZAG Arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was hard for us, they played really fast and they’re really strong. It was a tough game, but we want to improve our handball. We have a lot of young players so we need to work together but we are really glad to be here and in this big hall with lots of people. It’s really good for us and we need to continue to train to be at the top.\u201d<\/p>\n
Austria were opening day losers themselves, having been beaten by Croatia (35:29), but Benhalima is aware of the threat the team who finished eighth at EHF EURO 2024 in January, pose.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had a really good European Championship, drawing against Germany and playing really good. They are a big team with lots of big players who play at the biggest clubs in Europe,\u201d said the HC Cournon-d’Auvergne player.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be hard and tough in attack and defence. They are fast in their fast-break so we need to play good in defence \u2013 we need to be great in defence and have a big goalkeeper if we want to make something.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made some points about our game plan,\u201d he added about their rest day training session on Friday. \u201cThe feeling is good. We know that we need to work together. We have two more games here and need to play great handball as a team [to progress]. We know that we need to win but we also know that it’s really hard for us as a young team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a big, great hope to be better and to qualify for the next Olympics. It happened just a few times in the history of Algerian handball and we want to do work towards this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qualification for Paris 2024 is just that little bit harder for the North African side after their opening day loss, but should Benhalima and his side make it through, it would be significant personally for the 25-year-old as well as for Algeria as a whole.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor every sportsman or sportswoman, the Olympics is one of the biggest things in our sport \u2013 every sport \u2013 of course, everyone wants to go there. For me, with a French side and Algerian side, it’s amazing. I was born in Paris so it will be amazing, but I know it’s a really big step to go there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHandball is a really big sport, the second sport after football in Algeria,\u201d he added about the culture of the sport in Algeria. \u201cThere are lots of people who like the sport and really want to see us play the big matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe atmosphere in Algeria is really amazing. The feeling every time we play for our country is always the same; we are really proud to play for the national team in the biggest competitions, but it’s really important for us to play at the best level we can.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a big responsibility, because coming before us there were a lot of big players from Algeria,\u201d added Benhalima, who scored four goals against Germany.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that Algeria was one of the best African countries and really good in the African and World championships, so yes, it’s a big responsibility to play for them but we want to grow as a team and to be better for the future and I thank the fans for the strength they give to us.\u201d<\/p>\n