Yamaga (Japan) (AFP)

The French remained alive at the World Handball Championship by winning a beautiful victory over the German, 27 to 25, Saturday in Yamaga, Japan, where we finally found the champions of the world and Europe.

To qualify for the second round, the Blue will still beat Denmark Friday. Their double false start against South Korea (defeat) and Brazil (draw) would then be almost erased and the road of the half reopened.

"It's good to see the French team fighting, playing together, who found the nymph in defense." It sent a good signal to the Danes, "rejoiced the back Alexandra Lacrabère.

More effective shooting like Laura Flippes on the wing (3 goals on 3 shots), all involved on both sides of the field (12 goalscorers including Grace Zaadi, 4 goals, Gnonsiane Niombla and Pauline Coatanea, 3 each) , the French have again displayed a clear joy of playing.

"I always said that we did not lose the French team, but that it was scattered, everyone saw us a little inside in the first two games, but tonight we showed that I had always thought that these were small technical adjustments to make, "said the defender and pivot Beatrice Edwige.

The technical staff managed a nice tactical move by making the team play a defense called "1-5" for most of the match, with a player in the advanced position, Estelle Nzé-Minko, excellent, which greatly disrupted the German.

- Leynaud still imperial -

But the great lady of the match was again the guardian Amandine Leynaud. The captain in the absence of the Siraba Dembélé (maternity) winger made 13 saves and also a crucial interception at the end of the match.

"She is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and she is very committed to being named captain and we want her team to be victorious," said coach Olivier Krumbholz.

Deprived of her usual doubles, Laura Glauser (injured) and Cleopatra Darleux (young mother), the player of Györ, the Hungarian club champion of Europe, remained the 60 minutes in the cage. "She is playing more than expected, but we are trying to survive and we will see after!" Said the coach.

Les Bleues made a great start (4-1) and have always been ahead, with up to 5 goals in the second half (23-18), but the suspense lasted until the end, the Germans missing several balls of equalization.

"When we lead the whole game and we see the opponent come back, it's very difficult, but that's where we see the big players," said Krumbholz.

The Blues will play their future against Denmark, a team they have often beaten lately, including last year at the Euro. The Scandinavians have not shown a dazzling form since the start of the World Cup and the Germans had won against them their third consecutive success the day before their match against France.

The French side will also take a close look at the match between South Korea and Germany, hoping for a victory for the Europeans. In this case, France, Germany and Korea would start the main round with two points each and everything would remain open for the Blues.

© 2019 AFP