The team finished fourth of the euro in Budapest on Sunday by falling in front of Denmark (35-32), who picks up bronze after extension during the “Small Final”.
Le Monde with AFP and Reuters
No medals for the blues in this euro! The French Male Handball Team, Olympic Champion in Tokyo in August 2021, finished fourth of the euro in Budapest, Sunday, January 30, falling in front of Denmark (35-32) after extension during the “Small Final” .
The tricolors had perfectly started this meeting by leading three goals (12-9) and then one at the pause (14-13). But, on the return of the cloakroom, Denmark started digging the gap (22-19).
The Blues, who had managed to pick up at the end of the regulatory time (29-29) thanks to a good defense of Karl Konan, then failed to face the private Danes of Mikkel Hansen but led by their guardian Niklas Landin and by Jacob Holm.
Despite an excellent Vincent Gérard in the cages (17 stops) and the precious return of Kentin Mahe, absent eight days due to contamination at SARS-COV-2, the French failed to win a sixth medal in the European competition . Denmark, who definitely took over when the extension, won the bronze.
Spain and Sweden are found in the final at 18 hours for a duel opposing the highly experienced Spanish, looking for a triplet, a new promising Scandinavian generation. This poster also marks the remake of the EURO 2018 final in Croatia, where the Spaniards had imposed 29-23.