Cairo (AFP)
Spain, reigning European champion, and Denmark, Olympic and world champions, face each other on Friday in Egypt (8:30 p.m.) in a royal semi-final of the men's handball world, for a place in the final against France or Sweden, actors of the other half (5.30 p.m.).
The Spaniards made a strong impression in the quarter-finals, winning against Norway, vice-world champion, after a perfectly controlled match (31-26).
The Spanish players have gained momentum throughout the tournament, after their inaugural draw against Brazil (29-29).
To climb into the last four, Denmark had to go to the penalty shoot-out to eliminate Egypt, the host country (39-38, TAB), however a priori lower.
Despite this hitch, the Danes are well established and remain undefeated in Egypt.
They are counting on their iconic players like left-back Mikkel Hansen, three times voted best player in the world, goalkeeper Niklas Landin or pivot Magnus Saugstrup Jensen to advance to the final.
The Spanish selection, two-time world champion, had not reached the last four of a World Cup since 2015, the year when it lost against France in the semi-final in Qatar.
In Egypt, Denmark is aiming for a second crown.
The winner of this match will contest the world title on Sunday against France or Sweden, both unbeaten since the start of the competition, also opposed on Friday, in the first semi-final.
The French may have to count without Luka Karabatic and Timothey N'Guessan, injured in the quarterfinal against Hungary (35-32) and uncertain.
France had to draw on its strength to ward off the Magyars after the extension.
The Blues of Guillaume Gille will face a young and surprising team from Sweden, victorious over Qatar in the quarter (35-23), to reach the final and hope to win a seventh planetary title.
© 2021 AFP