Weakened by the absence of Timothey N'Guessan and Luka Karabatic, the French handball team saw its dream of a world title fly away in Egypt on Friday January 29, with a 32-26 defeat in the semi-final against a young and talented Sweden.

Twenty years after its last final, Sweden will face Denmark or Spain on Sunday in an attempt to win a 5th title and catch up half of its delay over France (6) at the top of the list.

The Blues have not finished with their Egyptian campaign, which will remain successful in the event of a podium.

This will require a success on the loser of the Spain-Denmark match, and therefore a bronze medal in this first World Cup with 32 teams and behind closed doors.

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A 3rd place would be a great reward for Guillaume Gille, appointed coach in January 2020 in the wake of the historic elimination of the Blues in the first round of the Euro and for a group that came to Egypt without the icon Nikola Karabatic, injured in the knee right in October.

The Blues also lost goalkeeper Wesley Pardin, injured against Switzerland, as well as left-back Timothey N'Guessan and pivot Luka Karabatic, affected in the quarterfinals against Hungary.

In a high-flying start to the match as on Michaël Guigou's kung fu for Dika Mem (3-4), the Swedes took a first advantage thanks to Jonathan Carlsbogard and Daniel Petersson, completely off-center on the wing to deceive Vincent Gérard (4-6).

With a strict defense, the French responded with two goals in quick succession, including a superb roucoulette from Luc Abalo (7-6) who thus made up for a previous exclusion.

But the Swedish defense slipped perfectly and recovered the balls, when it was not Andreas Palicka who stopped them.

And Felix Claar increased the lead for the Scandinavians (8-12).

The French defense weakened by the absence of Karabatic

Guillaume Gille then moved the lines: exit the leader Kentin Mahé and goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, as well as left-back Romain Lagarde, with insufficient input, and replaced them by Nedim Remili, Yann Genty and Jean-Jacques Acquevillo .

Having become an option at the center-half during the tournament, Remili kept the Blues afloat with two entry goals (10-12) and by bringing more depth in the attacks.

But the Swedes, carried by the counter-attacks and a few individual exploits like that of Hampus Wanne on the left wing, remained in front, galvanized by the fantastic save of Palicka - right foot at 2 m high, at the bar. - on Valentin Porte, just before the break (13-16).

The absence of Karabatic clearly weakened the defense of the Blues, often perforated in the axis.

At the break, Sweden only missed one shot (16/17) while the French, countered by Palicka (7 saves) posted a low percentage of 54% in attack.

Often in this World Cup, the Blues managed to gain the upper hand at the start of the second half.

Not this time.

Palicka did not slow down, neither did Wanne and Jim Gottfridsson increased the Scandinavian lead to 5 goals (18-23).

Remili tried to sound the revolt but was too lonely: Gille tried all the combinations, including the replacement Nicolas Claire, author of the goal of hope (20-23, 45th), or by bringing Gérard back to Genty's place.

But each time, the Swedes replied (21-25) to keep a good margin in advance.

Only Descat (4/4) regularly found the net.

Remili ended up lowering the pace, while the opponent was playing at his own pace (22-26).

With Adrien Dipanda's red card, a walk from Claire and a missed shot from Mem, their luck had passed (24-28, 24th).

With a splendid defensive return from Gottfridsson who had just lost the ball, Sweden had a quiet end to the game.

With AFP

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