Dani Baijens : « When Paris is interested, it's an easy decision »

Congratulations on your signing with Paris for the upcoming season. What motivated your choice to join the club?

« When Paris is interested in you, it’s difficult to say no. I’m delighted to be in such a club, and I can’t wait to get started. »

You’ve already played in a strong league with the Bundesliga; you’ll play in the Liqui Moly Starligue next season. What do you know about this championship, and what’s your expectation about it?

« To be honest, I haven’t been looking at much of the Starligue. I spoke with Luc Steins a lot about the league, and it’s a strong one. There are a lot of good teams, such as Chambéry, Montpellier, and Nantes. I played in the past against them, so I know some clubs. I talked with Luc about the other clubs, and I think the level is very good. I’m looking forward to starting. »

You and Luc are both coming from the Netherlands, and you’re teammates on the national team. You just told us that you spoke a lot with him; what did you say to each other?

« We talked about the structure of the club, the coach, the facilities, the style of play, etc. For me, it’s good to know how everything is working. We’re teammates on the national team, so I know that we can play together and how he likes to play. I think that’s good for me and the club. He didn’t have to convince me because, as I said before, when a club like Paris is interested in you, it’s an easy decision. »

Is it helpful to have a fellow Dutch compatriot in your next club?

« Yes, it’s also sometimes easier to speak Dutch in training or during the game, but I hope I’ll be able to learn French and help the team more. »

You and Luc are quite different in terms of physicality; can you tell us more about your style of play?

« I don’t have the same height or speed as Luc, but I think we play a bit similar. I like to play quick handball, to go from the defense to the attack, and to think about the game and how it’s played. I reckon I can shoot a little bit more than Luc, and I’m good at one vs. one, so I hope to bring that to the team. »

We’ll now have two good Dutch players on the team. What do you think of handball's growth in the Netherlands? 

« I think we keep improving every year; the level of the team is growing. I think we need some more players to keep up the level in tournaments. Right now, it’s difficult to compete with countries such as France, Germany, and Denmark. The first few games are always very good, but then in tournaments, it’s complicated as we’re getting tired. Hopefully, for the Euro 2024, we can develop that and be able to compete for the whole tournament. »

Are you looking forward to discovering the city of Paris?

« Of course, it’s one of the biggest cities in the world, and you have a lot to discover. I already saw the Eiffel Tower yesterday. I’m looking forward to see more of the city. »

Your tests this morning were really good. You almost had the best speed on the run track; only Luc Steins did better. Your fitness is really important to you, right?

« Until now, I’ve never had a big injury. I’m always fit. It’s also one of my strengths; I can play for 60 minutes and I’m still fit. I can compete at the highest level, so I think it’s good for me and the club. »