First real mountain stage towards the stated objective: to hang a seventh world star on the jersey, six years after the last.

Voracious, the reigning Olympic champions "want to win against everyone", says right-back Dika Mem.

They therefore made it a point of honor to sign a faultless course, with a sixth victory in six games won on Sunday against Spain (28-26).

In a match with only the first place in their main round group at stake, which took on the air of a walk in the park with qualification for the quarterfinals acquired even before the match against Iran (41-29), thanks to the success inaugural against Montenegro (35-24).

The first round was a little higher and tighter (Poland at home and Slovenia interspersed with Saudi Arabia), but the road begins to rise in Gdansk, on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

France team right-back Melvyn Richardson struggling with Spain left-back Daniel Dujshebaev at the Handball World Cup on January 22, 2023 in Krakow © JANEK SKARZYNSKI / AFP

Where, incongruity of the calendar, the Blues have been waiting for the Germans since Monday noon, when the latter played in the evening in Katowice against Norway (26-28), 500 km further south.

They are therefore moving forward with an extra day of rest, a good dose of confidence despite many injuries since the start of the preparation (will Prandi be restored on Wednesday?) and "perhaps a small advantage in terms of 'experience' in relation to the Mannschaft.

Knorr, they love it

The profile of Germany has indeed changed since the last two matches between the two teams, for the bronze medal of the World Cup-2029 and in pools at the Olympic Games-2021, both won by France.

Exit the left winger Uwe Gensheimer or the backs Steffen Weinhold and Hendrik Pekeler, retired internationals, the elbow room has been left to a new generation led by Juri Knorr.

The 22-year-old Rhein Neckar Löwen center half, son of former international Thomas Knorr (who participated in the 1996 Olympics), is according to Kentin Mahé "the playmaker" that Germany was looking for "for years" to bring him a little madness.

Mathieu Grébille after scoring for France against Spain at the Handball World Cup on January 22, 2023 in Krakow © JANEK SKARZYNSKI / AFP

Third top scorer in the Bundesliga (and first German), best passer in the World Cup on average (6 assists per game), Knorr, who made his professional debut with FC Barcelona in 2018, at 18, before returning in the country, "can do almost everything" according to Mahé.

"He plays in defense, raises the ball, distributes very well, takes penalties" develops the center half of the Blues.

His sudden shot in support is also formidable, as he showed in the first period against the Norwegians before dropping his foot.

“He is still young” breathes Mahé.

"It's up to us to show him that our defense is tougher and better than what (the Germans) were able to meet during this World Cup" adds the center half.

Like Knorr, this Germany, which has not climbed on any podium since its glorious year 2016 (European champion, third at the Rio Games), seems a bit young, more programmed for Euro-2024 and especially the World Cup- 2027, both at home.

Spain goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales tries to stop a shot from Frenchman Yanis Lenne at the Handball World Cup on January 22, 2023 in Krakow © JANEK SKARZYNSKI / AFP

The Blues seem ripe for them to go back to the roof of the world a year and a half after Olympic gold.

© 2023 AFP