Handball/Tunisia : Issam Tedj, A golden pivot
Copyright : Panoramic
A successful comeback with a fifth continental trophy and a deserved title of the best pivot of the tournament at the end. It must be clear; no one could predestine a formidable career for the someone who was trained in conviviality and discretion of Olympique des Transports (COT) in the Tunis suburb in the early 90′s. It is by joining Espérance de Tunisie in 1995, a most renowned club, that all started for Tedj. His precocious talent automatically gave him access the national team where he celebrated the first selection at 20. Things evolved rapidly when he took part in his first Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. Within two years, Issam became a key player of the selection with which he won in 2002 a first continental title. His fame grew.In Espérance de Tunis, he played alongside another diamond, two years younger than him, the center-half Heykel Megannem. The two men woulf meet in another life and another team some few years later. In cramped in Tunis, Issam TEDJ took advantage a double, league and cup in 2003 to seek for greener pasture elsewhere. In France, Alsace is the first to open for him the door of professionalism. A Selestat, club with limited means, where players fight each season to keep their place among the elite, the Tunisian will emerge as a real boss alongside a certain … Heykel Megannem. These two, who have become inseparable could not escape the perspicacity of recruiters from Montpellier, the most prestigious French professional club, moreso, as Tedj also performs with the national team. In 2005, Tunisia played at home a dream World Cup. The Eagles of Carthage finished at the fourth position after having impressed the world of handball. And Issam Tedj was one of the most brightest stars of this memorable event for Tunisia and Africa. A year later, he left the Alsatian gray sky for the light of the Hérault with however a personal title: that of the best pivot in the championship of France. In Montpellier, began a new life and especially a top level sports career. The Tunisian list of achievements is enriched at an impressive rate. After six seasons in the South, he counts four league titles, five victories in the Coupe de France, and had reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League three times. And the best may be yet to come, as the Tunisian has just prolonged the adventure in the Paillade till 2015. To those who were recently asking questions about his future, he answered with a question: “Why change if I am already in one of the best European clubs? We are aiming for Champions League, we recruited Thierry Omeyer and I have built my life here. ” In fact, why should I go, when you have the opportunity to play alongside superstars such as Nikola Karabatic center-half, left-winger Michael Guigou, right winger Dragan Gagic or even his compatriot the left-back Wissam Hmam .Issam TEDJ looks forward to enriching his list of achievements. And Tunisia will probably still take advantage of his great experience next summer during the Olympic Games in London. Profile Born on July 29, 1979 in Tunis 1.87 m, 95 kg Position: pivot Club: Montpellier (France) list of achievements Club ES Tunis: Champion and winner of the Cup in Tunisia (2003) Champion of France with Montpellier (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) Coupe de France: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 National Team: Champion of Africa (2002.2006, 2010, 2012) World championships: Participations : 5 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011) Olympics: 1 Participation: 2000, 2012.
