It was still hard to believe it. However, Elohim Prandi’s free kick, at the last second of the French team’s semi-final against Sweden, ended up in the back of Andreas Palicka’s net. The Swedish goalkeeper is probably still wondering where that ball went. The Frenchman was convinced that he could do it, just like his teammate Nikola Karabatic. “On the bench I was with Valentin (Porte) and Kentin (Mahé), I told them: Elo he is going to score!, I was sure of it,” said the PSG player after the match.
And for good reason, Elohim Prandi is accustomed to doing so. Direct free kicks, facing a wall of players with arms raised, he scored several. A video retracing his greatest exploits was also published by the Euro broadcaster BeIN Sports, and we can see that the left-back has scored at least three during his career.
They all date from his period in Nîmes, where he played between 2017 and 2020, and the “victims” are named Ivry, Créteil and Chambéry. The third is also noticeably similar to the one registered this Friday. Slightly more off-center on the right, the man who was not yet a PSG player leaned on his right side to go around the wall and unleash a powerful shot which deceived the goalkeeper, finishing his run in the top corner.
“I have confidence in my shot”
It must be said that the speed of his shots is incredible. Against Sweden, this liberating goal, which allowed the Blues to win extra time, then their place in the final, was flashed at more than 118 km/h. He then hit the bar before heading into the goal, under the surprised gaze of his club teammate, Andreas Palicka.
“It was a little too high compared to the distance I was at, I told myself that I was going to shoot on the side,” he analyzed after the meeting on BeIN Sports. So ! I have confidence in my shot, I have confidence in myself. The goal is there, it is accepted, you could say that I folded but we won in the end, I am proud of that. » We understand better where this confidence comes from.
This Sunday, against Denmark, the France team could still need the power of the left back. And he will undoubtedly be ready to achieve a new feat, if the team needs it.
