The French handball team went to reveal Spain, vice-champion of Europe, this Sunday evening, to conclude its group stage of the World Cup.
Undefeated and already qualified for the next round, the Blues brilliantly passed the obstacle, in a tense but controlled match (28-26).
With this victory, they finish at the top of group I, which offers them a favorable draw for their quarter-final on Wednesday.
END OF THE MATCH 🇪🇸 26 - 28 🇫🇷
It's over!
The French team has been impregnable since the start of the MONDIAL and finished 1st in its group 🔥
Direction 1/4 ✅🤩#BleuetFier pic.twitter.com/1mUuHLVjIL
– French Handball Teams (@FRAHandball) January 22, 2023
In Krakow, the French, without Nikola Karabatic and Charles Bolzinger, preserved and left in the stands, had made the best start, well helped by the very hot hand of Vincent GĂ©rard (39% saves).
Chaining a 4-0 around the quarter of an hour, concluded by a nice lob from Nicolas Tournat (6-9, 19th), they seemed able to take the lead at halftime.
But many losses of ball and a nice burst Spanish allowed Roja to pick up in the money time.
Concern for Prandi
Riding on their momentum, the vice-champions of Europe then took the lead after returning from the locker room (21-18, 43rd), carried by a very prolific Daniel Fernandez (best player of the match, with seven goals).
But Guillaume Gille's men, whose timeouts proved successful, kept a cool head to pick up (22-22, 46th).
Taking advantage of Joan Cañellas' expulsion for two minutes, they then accelerated again (26-24, 53rd) and closed the door in defense to seek a symbolically important victory.
For the French, the results of this group stage could hardly be better: they won their sixth victory in as many games played and were able to rotate their squad.
The only downside: the potential loss of Parisian Elohim Prandi, whose ankle turned on an innocuous action at the end of the match, and who is therefore uncertain for the quarters.
In the next round, the Blues will face the loser of the match between Germany and Norway, which will be played on Monday (8:30 p.m.).