Trondheim (Norway) (AFP)
The French handballers find themselves on the brink of emptiness at the Euro after the slap assenée entry by Portugal, 28 to 25, Friday in Trondheim, Norway.
After this defeat, one of the worst suffered by the French team since it settled among the greats of this sport, 25 years ago, the Blues are obliged to beat the Norwegians in front of their audience Sunday (6:15 p.m.) to survive.
This feat, because the Norwegians, unlike the Portuguese, have been a benchmark since their two silver medals at the Worlds-2017 and 2019, will not necessarily be enough depending on the results of the others. It may be necessary to add a significant difference.
The French were however warned. Last April, they had already lost to the Portuguese at Guimaraes, in a qualification match for this Euro. This insult had been attributed to a certain demobilization in the middle of the club season and the absence of any real stake. He had been washed three days later in Strasbourg.
- Bankruptcy under attack -
This time around, the result "is no longer a coincidence", as Portuguese coach Paulo Pereira said. If the Iberian selection, which has played its first Euro for 14 years, has made indisputable progress like its clubs, FC Porto and Sporting in European cups, the explanation is first to look for side of the French, light years away from their best level. Especially since the opponent was deprived of one of his best players, Gilberto Duarte, recruited this summer by Montpellier and forfeited on injury.
"We took a slap. It is in line with what can happen when we are not at our level and that we do not put the necessary commitment," acknowledged coach Didier Dinart. There is no one responsible, it is a team that has failed. "
If "not much went," as goalkeeper Vincent Gérard said, the French were mostly very insufficient in attack. The success of the shooting was correct (63%) but the ammunition was not numerous enough because of the losses of bullets, the marchers and the forced passages. Gifts that the Portuguese took advantage of to feast on counterattacks.
"They fed on our mistakes. If we can only put 25 goals against Portugal we cannot win," said Nikola Karabatic (4 goals), one of those who floated with Dika Mem ( 5 goals).
- Cleaver match against Norway -
It all started well for the Blues who led for twenty minutes (9-7) to a first offensive air hole of more than 12 minutes without scoring. The Portuguese took the opportunity to pass in front of the break (11-12).
Back from the locker room, it was believed that the French team would restore the hierarchy thanks to a new impetus given by Melvyn Richardson (3 goals), but it was only a flash in the pan. Briefly ironed in front (17-16), it collapsed at the end of the match, penalized by several temporary exclusions.
Just over six months before the Olympic Games (for which the Blues have not yet qualified) and a few weeks after the resounding failure of the girls, eliminated in the first round of the World Cup in Japan, French handball, which dominated the planet barely three years ago, was threatened with a new fiasco.
"We know that we have no choice and that the match against Norway will be a cleaver. It is not an impossible mission, we have the capacity, but we play against the vice-world champion at home, so it's going to be a big feat, "admitted Karabatic.
© 2020 AFP