The sporting interest is limited, the bodies are probably a little blunted but a prestigious victory never hurts.
The French handball team won this Saturday afternoon against Norway (37-29), the first of their two weekend duels.
Without Nikola Karabatic or Valentin Porte, who preferred to give up his summons for private and psychological problems, the reigning Olympic champions largely dominated their opponent.
Taking the wide entry (+5 after eleven minutes), they then managed their lead thanks to a good Wesley Pardin in the cages - in place of Vincent Gérard - and clinical shots from Kentin Mahé, Melvyn Richardson ( 4), Dika Mem and Aymeric Minne (5).
📣 END OF THE MATCH 🇫🇷 37 - 29 🇳🇴
The BLUEs win well against the Norwegians 💪🇫🇷
Next meeting tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Denmark 🇫🇷⚡🇩🇰#BleuetFier pic.twitter.com/TpPfYGmgyv
– French Handball Teams (@FRAHandball) March 19, 2022
Next meeting tomorrow against Denmark.
A more enticing confrontation for the band with Luka Karabatic, promoted captain in the absence of Valentin Porte.
The Danes had eliminated the Blues a month and a half ago in the small final of Euro-2022 after losing in the Olympic final on August 7, 2021 in Tokyo.
The Blues will leave this competition after this last stage of the season.
All means are good to lighten the agendas and this tournament which leaves no trace in the prize lists pays the price.
“All athletes have their heads in the handlebars of their domestic competitions, coach Guillaume Gille analyzed this week.
We also face quality opponents, of course, but whom we know too well.
The repetition of matches against Denmark or Norway removes the sensational side of these confrontations.
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