Handball World Cup: France in the second round after its victory against Austria

French right winger Valentin Porte during the World Cup group match against Austria, in Cairo, January 16, 2021 Anne-Christine POUJOULAT POOL / AFP

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The French men's handball team qualified for the main round of the World Cup in Egypt by dominating Austria 35-28 this Saturday, January 16 in Cairo.

Two days ago, France had a very convincing success against Norway (28-24).

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Arriving on tiptoe in Egypt after its elimination in the first round of Euro-2020, and two disappointing resumption matches against Serbia, the Habs have already taken the first step of their reconquest mission.

The Blues will have to beat Switzerland next Monday to approach the second round with the maximum number of points, those acquired against the other qualified teams being kept.

Faced with an opponent less feared than Norway's Sander Sagosen, and deprived in Egypt of his left-back Nikola Bilyk, injured in a knee, Michaël Guigou's team has mastered its subject and rotated its workforce.

In goals, Vincent Gérard, only entered on two 7m jets against Norway, quickly proved invaluable by making 11 saves in the first period (17 in total).

What put him in confidence after the exceptional performance of his partner and competitor Wesley Pardin (18 stops) two days earlier.

5 goals from Ludovic Fabregas in his first 9 minutes

If Austria held out for a few minutes (3-3), France quickly accelerated (8-5), notably winning the numerical inferiority caused by the exclusion of Dika Mem (2-1).

The gap has steadily increased in favor of the Blues, who nevertheless wasted some ammunition like the stops of Thomas Bauer on Michaël Guigou (12th), then Florian Kaiper on Luc Abalo just before the break or even the failure of Hugo Descat at the end of the match.

But general efficiency, like Ludovic Fabregas' 5 goals in his first 9 minutes - six in total, top French scorer - allowed the Blues to swell the gap up to eight goals ahead ( 30-22).

Twelve players have scored at least 2 goals and 6 have achieved a 100% faultless, including substitute Jean-Jacques Acquevillo, a last minute guest after Elohim Prandi's injury.

Bodes well for the future.

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  • Handball

  • France

  • Austria