Barring a disaster, France will be part of the quarter-finalists of the Egyptian World Cup.
By winning with difficulty against Iceland this Friday (28-26), Guillaume Gille's players have lined up a fifth straight victory in as many games.
Sunday (8:30 p.m.) against Portugal, who eliminated Switzerland (33-29) a little earlier in the day, France will be able to settle for a defeat of less than 7 goals to reach the quarter-finals.
What you must remember
Faced with an Icelandic team that was playing for nothing, the French still had some scares to win.
As against Algeria on Wednesday (29-26), the Blues put themselves in danger while they perfectly mastered the debates.
The absence of Wesley Pardin, returned to France after his injury Monday against Switzerland (25-24) was largely compensated by the duo Genty-Vincent.
It is also thanks to them that the Blues take control of the match to switch to the break with two goals ahead (16-14).
A minimum service while France had the opportunity to lead by four goals.
As in previous outings, the second half is more delicate.
Joined (17-17, 33rd) then overtaken by the Vikings (20-22, 41st), the Habs are experiencing a serious heatstroke.
It takes all the talent of PSG goalkeeper Yann Genty against Bjarki Elisson, scorer eight times, to free the Blues who won the money-time (28-26).
Iceland 26 🇮🇸⚡🇫🇷 28 France
Les Bleus win after having to strive to take the advantage at the end of the match ✊
🇵🇹🌩🇫🇷
See
you on Sunday to clinch 1st place in this preliminary round! #BleuetFier # ISLFRA pic.twitter.com/H7EtZ6p76U
- France Hand Teams (@FRAHandball) January 22, 2021
The player: Dika Mem
The Barcelona player took out the big guns.
As France was very close to sinking, the right-back scored the right goals at the crucial moment.
It is in particular he who puts all his aggressiveness to offer the equalizer to France (22-22).
His 7th goal of the evening, one minute 30 from the end, gives his team two goals and definitely ensures victory.
The number: 27
By scoring 5 goals this Friday against Iceland, Kentin Mahé remains the French top scorer at this World Cup with 27 goals in the first five meetings.
Author of a first period, very clean, he started his team on the right track.
He was able to pull out all the stops when the boat pitched in the second period.
