Matej Gaber: “Success will not come overnight”

The 33-year-old line player has been a key figure at PICK Szeged over the last eight years of playing in Hungary and Europe’s top-flight competition, since his arrival in the 2016/17 season. Now, he is ready to take on a new challenge in Nantes after a busy summer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he finished fourth with Slovenia.

“Everything is great so far. I arrived a bit more than ten days ago, right after the Olympics. The club is well organised and all teammates welcomed me nicely,” said Gaber.

Leaving Szeged was not easy for Gaber and his family, but the Slovenian line player saw this as an opportunity that could not be missed, as well as a return to familiar territory. He decided to move back to France, where he lived from 2013 to 2016 while playing for Montpellier Handball.

“After eight years in Szeged, we [as a family] decided it is time for a change. We loved it there, but we knew it was time for something new and we had a wish to return to France. We loved the way of living when we were in Montpellier, the clubs are great, the venues are always packed and from the sports point of view, it was a good decision.

“When I found out I had a chance to join Nantes, a club that is fighting for the title in France and a club that always wants to play in the Champions League, I was happy and ready to take the offer. However, it is not just for me, but also for my kids to be able to see and learn something new,” explained Gaber.

Even though the experienced line player arrived in Nantes just almost two weeks ago, the start of the season could not have been better. Nantes celebrated winning the Trophée des Champions against PSG, a French Super Cup, and showed what they are made of, with Gaber playing his role just the way he knows it.

Nantes went through squad changes this summer with seven players leaving the club, including three line players — Jérémy Toto, Théo Monar and William Höghielm. That is where Matej Gaber jumps in, alongside returnee to the club from Kielce, Nicolas Tournat, and Shuichi Yoshida, who arrived from Dunkerque. Nantes looked to strengthen their squad and Gaber's skills in defence are an ideal fit, with his well-balanced role in the attack.

“Nantes have a great team, when you look at the names. On the line we have Nicolas Tournat, who also returned to Nantes and, if you ask me, he is one of the best line players in Europe. Talking with the coach, for now, I will be more focused on the defence, but with time my role in the attack will also evolve,” Gaber said about his teammates and his role in the club.

His earlier stint with Montpellier saw him develop into a high-profile player and now he brings that experience full circle as he re-enters the French league with ambition.

“We would like to win the French championship. When I played in Montpellier I didn't do it and for me, it would be great to have that trophy. Also, my dream is to go to the EHF FINAL4 and I believe with this team it can be done,” said Gaber.

The first step Nantes have to make towards making Gaber's dream come true is to secure the quarter-finals or play-offs in a challenging group B. They will have to pit sides with SC Magdeburg, Barça, Zagreb, OTP Bank - PICK Szeged, Aalborg Håndbold, Industria Kielce and Kolstad Håndbold.

“Champions League is tough, especially this year when I look at the groups. I don't think I was ever placed in such a challenging group as this one. We have to go game by game and work hard every day, success will not come overnight,” added Gaber.

They will be thrown into the deep end already at the start of the competition, as the first Match of the Week of the season travels to Denmark where Nantes will play an away game against Aalborg. In round three, Gaber will travel with his new teammates to a well-known place, in Szeged.

“We have a tough opening. We have an away match in Aalborg and it is the Match of the Week. We know what it means. It will be a great test for our team, to play against such strong opponents. It will show us where we are and what we need to improve. The later game against Szeged will be special. I kind of dreamed before the draw that we would get Szeged. To see my friends again, not just the ones from handball. So, I am happy I will be in Szeged again, but also I want to win there,” explained Gaber.

At home, Nantes is a tough fortress to conquer and a part of it goes to their fans: “ We have great fans in Nantes, with nice banners and cheering for each game. They supported us in the Super Cup against PSG, welcomed us with torches. You can feel you have great support from the fans and they will be there to support us through all,” concluded Gaber.

Photos © Eliza Solya (main), OTP Bank - PICK Szeged (in-text)