At the end of a breathless final (33-31), the Blues dominated – after extra time – the reigning three-time Danish world champions to win a 4th European title.
The French handball team continues to write its legend. This Sunday, despite a final which seemed to elude them for a long time, the Blues defeated Denmark after extra time (33-31), adding a 4th European title to their formidable collection comprising six world titles and three Olympic coronations. The ideal scenario six months before the Paris 2024 Games.
An unbreathable finale
If the Blues, once is not customary in this Euro, made a good start to the match (6-4, 11th), the Danish goalkeeper Emil Nielsen, who had revealed himself in the Nantes jersey, recalled bad memories French people starting his show. In 20 minutes, the Scandinavian goalkeeper made 8 saves, including a seven-meter throw from Hugo Descat, and the reigning three-time world champions stood out on the scoreboard (6-9, 16th). But as soon as his counterpart, Samir Bellahcene, got into tune, France came back, led by an efficient Dylan Nahi (9-9, 23rd). Guillaume Gille’s men even took the lead twice briefly thanks to cannonballs sent by Elohim Prandi, but at the break, the score was, logically, parity (14-14).
Problem, from the restart, France turned its head upside down on its own with disastrous efficiency in shooting, like a suffering Dika Mem. Denmark took advantage of this to get back on track, as in the first act (14-17, 35th). But despite all the imperfections in their game on the offensive level, the French hung on, refused to give in and managed to stay, year after year, one length behind the Scandinavians ten minutes from the end (21-22). In other words, despite the arabesques of Mathias Gidsel and the flawless performance of Mikkel Hansen on penalties, the Blues remained alive. The last ten minutes proved to be unbreathable. France seemed on the edge, close to giving in, but with impeccable mentality, an equalizer from Ludovic Fabregas and a final heroic defense sent the two teams into overtime (27-27).
As against Sweden in the semi-finals, it ended up turning in favor of these unsinkable Blues. Not during a first period where the two teams remained neck and neck (29-29), but from the start of the second when Dika Mem, after having lived through a nightmare and appearing in total loss of confidence, released two shots genius to deal a real blow to the Danes (31-29, 67th). It was then necessary to hold on while this devil Hansen brought his people even closer (31-30). Until the goal of deliverance signed Elohim Prandi (32-30). And this time, nothing could deprive France of a fourth European title (33-31).
French handball, always at the top
“It would be great to start the year 2024, which promises to be very exciting, with a title. It would also be a great continuation after what the girls achieved last December.” Saturday, 24 hours before the final, Ludovic Fabregas had perfectly set the scene. Three years after the fabulous Olympic double – men and women united in glory – achieved in Tokyo, French handball demonstrated that it retained its place at the top of the discipline. First on the women’s side with the third world title won by Estelle Nze Minko and company on December 17 against Norway (31-28). Then this Sunday January 28 with the victory of the Blues against Great Denmark (33-31). A permanence at the top which never ceases to impress and which, inevitably, leaves one dreaming as the Olympic Games at home loom in six months.
The winners in view of Paris 2024
While a delicate task now awaits Guillaume Gille with a view to Paris 2024 – namely putting together a group of only 14 players – this Euro will have brought him some certainties, and some headaches in perspective too. On the goalkeeper position for example, between the scheduled return from injury of Vincent Gérard – the usual captain –, the great revelation Samir Bellahcene and the qualities of Rémi Desbonnet, the coach will have to decide. On the back base, the good form displayed by Nikola Karabatic at 39 seems to put an end to the (small) debate surrounding his presence on the list. The Paris SG star will be accompanied by the essentials Dika Mem and Nedim Remili, while Elohim Prandi undoubtedly validated his Olympic ticket with his thunderbolt in the semi-final. Which would leave one or two places, depending on the configuration chosen by the former Expert. At the pivotal position, a real question will surround the presence of the defense expert Karl Konan, valuable at each entry into the Euro but who will have difficulty dislodging the captain and more versatile Luka Karabatic from the list. On the wings, Hugo Descat and Dylan Nahi on the left, and Yannis Lenne on the right seem untouchable. It remains to be seen the case of Valentin Porte, physically diminished in this Euro and who remains under threat from Benoit Kounkoud. A problem of the rich, ultimately, for Guillaume Gille.
ALSO SEE – Deschamps visiting the Blues base camp at the Euro
”
data-script=”
>
