Denmark dominates France and wins its 3rd consecutive world title

A familiar duel shook the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm this Sunday, January 29. A meeting that has become classic, between French and Danes who have not stopped crossing paths at the top of world handball for a decade. A shock won while in control by the Danes (29-34), who were never really worried during this final.

Nikola Karabatic, the legend of French handball, finally made his return to the starting lineup after being preserved in the semi-finals following an injury. Not enough to impress Niklas Landin, the Danish goalkeeper, who made an excellent start to the match by closing his cage twice against the first shots from the French, suffering and without solutions from the start (2-6, 7^e). Imperial, the Danes continued to martyrize the French defense for a good part of the first period (10-14, 19^e). But after a catastrophic start to the game, the Blues were able to raise their heads and adjust their shooting efficiency to return to a goal behind at halftime (15-16).

Third consecutive world title for Denmark

More applied, the French team equalized as soon as they returned from the locker room (17-17, 33^e), for the first time in the game. But always inconstant in the defensive phases against the very effective Danes, the French never managed to lead the score against the opposing assaults (23-25, 45^e). Dominating in attack and dictating their game until the end, the Danish team never gave in and won with great skill against the Blues (29-34).

Already double reigning world champions, the Danes win the third world title in their history and continue their momentum after their successes in 2019 and 2021. They become the first team to win three world titles in a row. The French team, six-time world champion (1995, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017) and the most successful in the history of the competition, will have to wait to hang a seventh star in the blue jersey.

In the other meeting of the day, Spain overcame Sweden (36-39) and won the third bronze medal in its history in the World Championship, after those of 2011 and 2021.