France-Norway (38-34): authoritarian, the Blues continue their flawless performance at the Euro handball before the main round

Double good news this Monday. Already, the French handball team is in good shape. Victorious over Norway after a great show of strength (38-34), the Blues prove that they are one of the candidates for the title at the European Championships. And they will begin, it is the second celebration of the evening, the main round with a victory.

Guillaume Gille’s men knew it: this duel against the Norwegians was crucial. Already qualified for the main round after largely beating the Czech Republic and Ukraine, they could finish at the top of their group C. A symbolic position at this stage of the competition but crucial for the rest of the events. Because this success against the Norwegians will count for the main round, the two nations will not face each other a second time.

From the first minutes, the Blues unfolded their plan. Precise offensively, solid defensively, Dika Mem’s teammates did not let Norway get into their match. As the minutes passed, the gap widened, increasing to five goals halfway through the first half (14-9). If the Norwegians never gave up, they did not pick up the score either, the French maintaining sufficient efficiency until the final buzzer.

Hugo Descat shines

Back after being sidelined against Ukraine due to ankle pain, winger Hugo Descat actively participated in the Blues’ victory, with six goals in seven attempts. Only small downside: the match between goalkeepers Charles Bolzinger and Rémi Desbonnet, whose records (19% and 23% saves) are poor.

During the main round, which will begin this Thursday, January 22, the Blues will face Spain, Germany and Denmark. The last opponent will be Portugal or North Macedonia, who play their last match of the preliminary round this Tuesday. At the end of the four matches, the first two in the group will qualify for the semi-finals.