The Blues, deprived of Nedim Remili and Luka Karabatic injured, but with the return of their captain Valentin Porte, absent during the last rally for psychological reasons, put on a show for their reunion in front of the 9,000 spectators at Bercy, thanks to an aggressive defense and bloody counter-attacks.
Already qualified for the World Cup-2023, the France team had nothing to lose in this meeting just like Spain, which also has its ticket for Poland or Sweden (the two host countries).
Winners in their last two outings last month in the Golden League against Norway (37-29) and Denmark (28-26), the Blues came confident to Bercy and confirmed it against the Spaniards, accustomed to international podiums.
They took off from the start with balls recovered by a good defense, then improved with counter-attacking goals from wingers Hugo Descat, Yanis Lenne and right-back Dika Mem (8-4, 8th ).
The French then put on a show with a magnificent collective action concluded by a kung fu from Lenne to Descat (12-5, 12th), which stung Spain.
Led by Paris SG player winger Ferran Sole, the vice-champions of Europe tried to come back but were stuck five units behind the Olympic champions, stopped by a double save from Vincent Gérard (15-10, 17th).
The French, with the entry into play of their captain Valentin Porte (16th), maintained and widened the gap until the break (24-15).
Coach Guillaume Gille's men then turned the match into a nightmare for the Spaniards by accelerating to take a lead of up to 13 points with a goal from young Thibaut Briet (43-30, 27th) and conclude the match (44-33 ).
The French handball team will meet the vice-champions of Europe on Saturday in Chambéry in this second part of this double friendly confrontation to close a long international season which began two years ago, marked by the title in Tokyo.
© 2022 AFP