Tokyo (AFP)

The French handball players qualified for a fourth Olympic final in a row by defeating Egypt (27-23) Thursday in Tokyo, ensuring France of a 27th medal.

The Blues, worn by their goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, will play the match for a gold medal on Saturday against the Danish double world champions or the Spanish double European champions, who meet in the evening (9 p.m. local time / 2 p.m. French hours) .

"It's fabulous, I do not yet realize, it's magic these moments of joy with the team, rejoiced on France Télévisions Nikola Karabatic. It's what there is most beautiful in sports The Egyptians played very well and fought well. We were able to stay focused and raise the tone in the second half. "

The joy of Nikola Karabatic, winner with the French Egyptians team (27-23), in the semi-final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, August 5, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP

This assured fourth consecutive Olympic medal is also the fourth of the last three Experts: Nikola Karabatic, Luc Abalo and Michaël Guigou.

French right-back Dika Mem tries a shot against Egypt, during their semi-final, August 5, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Fabrice COFFRINI AFP

If the France team wins gold, they would have the most impressive record in the history of handball at the Games.

With a third Olympic title in addition to silver from Rio, they would do better than the Soviet then Russian goalkeeper Andrey Lavrov, titled three times (1988, 1992, 2000) and bronze medalist in Athens (2004).

But Thursday at the Yoyogi, it was not the Experts who played the leading role, even if they started the meeting well.

The spotlight was on their goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, criticized for his performance in the last semi-finals, whether at Euro-2018, the 2019 and 2021 Worlds or during the last Champions League with PSG.

In Tokyo on Thursday, he arguably delivered his biggest game in Blue with 17 saves (44%).

Because the Olympic Games are the "Holy Grail" for a handball player, as the men of Guillaume Gille repeat.

And because he maintained in this match hit his teammates destabilized by the Egyptian team.

The joy of French goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, after stopping an Egyptian shot, during their semi-final, August 5, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Franck FIFE AFP

He made "an excellent performance", commented Guillaume Gille, the coach.

"In these decisive matches, we know the importance of goalkeepers. It was the basis for us in this very tough match," he added.

It took 18 minutes to see them lead to the score (8-7) and Vincent Gérard already had warm hands.

A first entry stop to gain confidence and two parades on penalties to gain the upper hand over the shooters of the Pharaohs, who had become two days earlier the first African handball players to climb into the last Olympic square.

Faced with this country which has a tradition of handball - the president of the international federation is also Egyptian - nothing has been easy.

The band of Nikola Karabatic did not break until after the return from the locker room (16-14, 36th).

And the return of Hugo Descat, affected in the adductors during the last group match, did them the greatest good by its efficiency (5/5).

A huge challenge in the final now awaits these Blues who come back from afar after their elimination in the first round of Euro 2020.

© 2021 AFP