December 2009
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France announces squad for Brussels |
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06.12.2008 |
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French hopes in Brussels will rest on the young
shoulders of defending junior champion Mourad
Amdouni (right) and silver medal winner in the same
category Florian Carvalloh.
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The French Athletics Federation (FFA) has announced to field a 36-member team for the SPAR European Cross Country Champions to be held in Belgian capital Brussels on December 14.
The senior men's team that finished the second runners-up at the last edition of the premier European meet in Toro, Spain, will be lead by El Hassan Lahssini, who had the best result in the men's field in 2007.
Veteran El Himer Driss, who emerged as the top French runner in the Cross National Le Maine Libre in Allonnes last month, will be joining Hassan in the title hunt along with James Theuri, Mokhtar Benhari, Mokhtar Benhari, Said Berioui, Bouabdellah Tahri. 34 year-old Himer finished third with a timing of 28:07.
France are expected to face stiff competition from title holders Spain and Great Britain.
Defending junior champion Mourad Amdouni, will spearhead the French challenge in the U23 category. Amdouni was the top French finisher at International Orange Cross-Country in Les Mureaux. He came fourth clocking 25.12 in the 9.1km course.
While Florian Carvalloh, silver medal winner in the junior category at the 2007 SPAR European Cross Country championship, will go for the gold in Brussels.
The women's squad will aim to improve their last year standing under the seasoned runners like Christine Bardelle, Christelle Daunay, Sophie Duarte, Yamna Oubouhou and Maria Martins.
The surprise package of the senior team is little-known Laurane Picoche, who was the first among home runner Cross National Le Maine Libre in Allonnes last month. She finished fifth ahead of more seasoned names.
The target for the U23 and junior women is to finish among the top eight European teams.
French Team for SPAR European Cross Country Championships:
Men
Senior: Mokhtar Benhari, Said Berioui, El Himer Driss, El Hassan Lahssini, Bouabdellah Tahri, James Kibocha Theuri
U23: Mourad Amdouni, Yoann Kowal, Benjamin Malaty, Denis Mayaud, Pierrot Pantel, Nouredine Smail
JUNIOR: Houssam Bouallagui, Florian Carvalho, Hassan Chahdi, Simon Denissel, Colin Guillard, Francois Leprovost
Women
Senior: Christine Bardelle, Christelle Daunay, Sophie Duarte, Maria Martins, Yamna Oubouhou, Laurane Picoche
U23: Anne Catherine Bernard, Louise Ghesquiere, Laura Miclo, Florence Moissette, Hasna Tabboussi, Anne-cecile Thevenot
Junior: Claire Andreani, Julia Arhant, Belin Mathilde, Emmie Charayron, Anne Lonjou, Laetitia Meunier
For more please click:
SPAR European Cross Country Championships
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