This time around, the Olympic champions in Tokyo six months ago will not have managed to turn the game around, as they were able to do against Denmark two days ago in the last match of the main round to snatch qualification for the last square.
The French, who had started their meeting very well, were in great difficulty on the offensive actions of Jim Gottfridsson (9 goals) and Jonathan Carlsbogaard (5 goals).
The Swedes took control during the first period to never let Guillaume Gille's players come back in front again, with a gap that long fluctuated between two and four goals in favor of the Scandinavians.
Sweden's 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
Aymeric Minne's entry into the French rear base was exceptional, with eight goals from nine attempts in the second half, but it was insufficient to snatch another success in the final seconds.
Frenchman Aymeric Minne scores a goal against Sweden in the Euro semi-final on January 28, 2022 in Budapest FERENC ISZA AFP
Fabregas in check at the end
The French however had two balls to come back in the last moments, but the Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Palicka, author of a very large part against the French, defeated the pivot Ludovic Fabregas, for his only two failed attempts of the meeting (5/7), and ensured a new final in the space of 12 months for his teammates after that of the World Cup-2021 (defeat against Denmark).
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 defense once again tonight was a little or even a lot in difficulty. We conceded far too many goals and it's complicated to win a match when you concede so many goals", commented after the meeting Valentin Porte, the captain of the Blues who received a red card for dangerous action, at the worst time, in the last four minutes.
French captain Valentin Porte fouls Sweden's Jonathan Carlsbogard during their Euro semi-final on January 28, 2022 in Budapest Attila KISBENEDEK AFP
The French will have to remobilize very quickly to seek a new international podium, Sunday in the middle of the afternoon against Denmark, double world champion in title (2019 and 2021) but which was surprised by Spain in the semi- final.
The Spaniards celebrate their qualification for the final of the Euro handball, after their victory (29-25) against Denmark, January 28, 2022 in Budapest Attila KISBENEDEK AFP
This small final will be a remake of the grand final of the Olympic Games that France won in Tokyo just six months ago.
For gold, Sweden will try to bring down Spain, double defending champion and who will be looking for a hat-trick that only the great Sweden managed to achieve at the rocker of the 1990s and 2000s (1998/2000/ 2002).
© 2022 AFP