Giza (Egypt) (AFP)

The French men's handball team begins to glimpse the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Egypt, before facing Algeria on Wednesday (6 p.m.), but the withdrawal of Wesley Pardin and the difficulties encountered against Switzerland (25-24) are the first clouds in a hitherto blue sky.

From an accounting point of view, all is well.

After the surprise triumph against Norway (28-24) and the success snatched against the Helvetians, the Blues start the main round with four points and even have the right to a wild card in the race for the quarter-finals.

But that will be without Wesley Pardin, probably the victim of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after a collision with Swiss winger Cédrie Tynowski and repatriated to France.

A big blow for France, as the Martiniquais shone in recent months with Aix as against Norway with his 18 saves.

The N.1 at the post Vincent Gérard, who made two decisive stops at the end of the match against the Swiss, will now be associated as with PSG to Yann Genty, reservist for a week in Cairo.

Nîmes Rémi Desbonnet flies to Egypt on Tuesday night to act as third goalkeeper.

In the game, the Blues fell back a little in their crosses against the Swiss, the fault of a declining efficiency in attack (60%), especially on shots from close (4/7).

"The match against Switzerland reminded us that we had to stay alert. Maybe there was a bit of slackening, unconsciously," said assistant coach Erick Mathé.

- Reunion with Portugal -

The good news is that adversity will increase for this second week there with Algeria on Wednesday, Iceland on Friday and Portugal on Sunday.

What naturally build up in order to be at the rendezvous of the quarterfinals.

First step, Algeria which "offers a game that we are not used to. It is capable of posing a lot of problems with a lot of desire and commitment," distils coach Guillaume Gille.

And Vincent Gérard to recall that France did not fly over the only clash in almost two decades between the two nations, during the 2015 World Cup in Qatar (32-26).

"We respect everyone but we will have to be focused and serious because these will be high level matches."

The draws of Croatia against Japan, Spain against Brazil or the defeat of Slovenia against Russia confirmed that the general level was tightening, and that the favorites were not immune to a disappointment.

We can count on the right back Nedim Remili, of Algerian origin through his father, to take this match to heart.

"It is a great pride to be able to play against Algeria, but it remains a match like any other because we will play it to win and there will be no gifts."

Coached by Alain Portes, the former coach of the French women's team, the Algerians rely on players from the local championship, and only three Starligue residents: right back Ayoub Abdi (Toulouse), left winger Hichem Daoud (Istres) and center-back or left-back Abdelkader Rahim (Dunkirk).

Almost out of the race after their setbacks against Iceland and Portugal, they will have nothing to lose against the Blues.

Program of group III of the Main Round of the 2021 Men's Handball World Cup, played in Egypt (GMT hours):

Wednesday January 20

(2:30 p.m.) Switzerland - Iceland

(5:00 p.m.) France - Algeria

(7:30 p.m.) Portugal - Norway

Friday 22 January

(2:30 p.m.) Switzerland - Portugal

(5:00 p.m.) Iceland - France

(7:30 p.m.) Norway - Algeria

Sunday January 24

(2:30 p.m.) Algeria - Switzerland

(5:00 p.m.) Iceland - Norway

(7:30 p.m.) Portugal - France

Editor's note: the first two of the group are qualified for the quarter-finals

© 2021 AFP