In revenge for the semi-finals of the 2021 World Cup a year ago in Egypt and the Olympic Games in Tokyo six months ago, the Spaniards took their revenge on Mikkel Hansen's teammates by winning 29 to 25.

Danish Mikkel Hansen arms his shot against Spanish defender Angel Fernandez Perez, during their semi-final of the Handball Euros, January 28, 2022 in Budapest FERENC ISZA AFP

Thanks to a huge goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (14 saves), and the 11 goals of the Barcelonan Aleix Gomez (including 9 in the game), the men of Jordi Ribera will try Sunday to lift their third consecutive European title after 2018 and 2020.

This hat-trick, only Great Sweden managed to achieve it at the rocker of the 1990s and 2000s (1998, 2000, 2002).

The Spaniard Joan Canellas Reixach scores a goal against Denmark, during their semi-final of the Euro handball, on January 28, 2022 in Budapest Attila KISBENEDEK AFP

In the final on Sunday, it is precisely against Sweden, in full revival after a big generational air gap at the end of the 2000s and the beginning of the 2010s, that the Iberians will try to get back on the top step of the podium.

On Friday, Glenn Solberg's players managed to overcome the absences of several of their best players such as their top scorer Hampus Wanne, right winger Niclas Ekberg, center half Felix Claar and right back Lukas Sandell, all tested. positive for Covid-19 and placed in solitary confinement.

But Jim Gottfridsson, with his 9 goals out of 10 attempts, made the French defense suffer, which, according to French captain Valentin Porte, conceded too many goals to be able to hope to win.

Swede Jim Gottfridsson fires his shot despite the defense of Frenchman Karl Konan, during their Euro semi-final, January 28, 2022 in Budapest FERENC ISZA AFP

At the end of the match, the French had the balls to come back to the Swedes.

But Andreas Palicka blocked the two attempts of Ludovic Fabregas, the only two failures of the blue pivot, including an equalizing ball ten seconds from the end of the meeting.

In the end, the Swedes won 34 to 33.

The joy of goalkeeper Andreas Palicka, congratulated by his teammates, after having stopped the last shot of Frenchman Ludovic Fabregas, during the victory of Sweden (34-33) in the semi-finals of the Euro handball, the 28 January 2022 in Budapest Attila KISBENEDEK AFP

The match for third place, Sunday mid-afternoon (3:30 p.m.), between France and Denmark will therefore be a remake of the Olympic final won by France six months ago in Tokyo.

© 2022 AFP