Paris (AFP)

Five days before the start of the Euro in Norway, the French handballers bowed against the best team in the world, Denmark, 31 to 30, Sunday in Paris.

"There is still a bit of work to do. That is what this match was for, to show us what remains to be worked on," acknowledged winger Valentin Porte.

The French had crushed a weak team from Serbia 40 to 26 on Friday in Metz in their first preparation match, and they would have liked to offer the 14,500 supporters of Bercy a prestigious success over the defending Olympic and world champions.

"It is never fun to lose, especially at home. We were too much on AC and we chased after the score," said pivot Ludovic Fabregas.

Coach Didier Dinart had decided to continue testing two formulas of defense, layered and flat, and his players were in trouble on the first, less usual, in the first period (14-17 at the break).

"The Danes are so precise that it's normal that they found flaws. It will be useful for the rest. In the intensity it was good, it was a good handball match, there is nothing alarming, "assured Porte.

- "Cornelian choice" in goals -

The Blues have also shown beautiful things. They returned several times tied, after accusing up to 4 goals behind, thanks to the goals of young Elohim Prandi (5) and Dika Mem (7), and also thanks to the saves of Wesley Pardin, who came into second period.

In the cage, Dinart will have to make "a tough choice", in his own words, between the Aixois and the Chamberlain Yann Genty, who had been very good against the Serbs. What to question the status of N.1 of Vincent Gérard (1 stop in a half-time Sunday)? "No", decided the coach, because the neo-Parisian "has proven itself internationally".

It will be necessary to remove another name to arrive at the list of 16 which will be announced Monday morning at the handball house in Créteil. It should be Aixois Nicolas Claire, who has not been used against Denmark at all.

The Blues will take the plane Wednesday for Trondheim where they will start the Euro Friday against Portugal, one of the nations in progress in the European concert. The European champion will be directly qualified for the Tokyo Games.

© 2020 AFP