After having difficulty eliminating Egypt, the Blues face Croatia this Thursday evening for a place in the final of the Handball World Cup. In Zagreb, the French will live a historic semi-final in a hostile atmosphere.
The “klasik” is back! In the history of world handball, France and Croatia clashed 37 times before a new episode this Thursday evening. After having eliminated Hungary (31-30) and Egypt (34-33) respectively in pain, the French and the Croats compete in the semi-final of the World Handball. A huge poster that has been eagerly awaited since the start of the competition. At a press conference, the coach of the Blues, Guillaume Gille did not fail to recall the formidable confrontations between the two nations: “The Croats are always formidable, and playing at home, in this highly overwhelmed atmosphere, will be a huge challenge for us. But our collective is our strength. It is a classic, a match that will remain engraved in history. I remember the first Olympic adventure in 2008, where Croatia had faced in the semi-finals. It was the first time that we touched on this scent of an Olympic medal. This match was already like a final before the hour, and he opened the doors of the final to us. But of course, the 2009 final against Croatia remains one of the wildest memories of my career. It was an atmosphere of madness, a real fight where we were the little stone made the opposing team and the whole room. “
The public, X factor?
At Arena Zagreb, no less than 15,000 Croatian supporters are expected to push their nation. An incandescent atmosphere in perspective but which does not seem to destabilize the Blues as pointed out Guillaume Gille: “I see the emotional investment of the Croats, their passion that will increase tenfold in their room. They have their physical seeds, but we know they will give everything. It will be a high -level match, we must not give in to pressure it remains a hand match where we will fight against the 16 players, not against the 15,000 spectators “. “”We are ready to face this pressure “added Karl Konan.
Psychological ascendancy
In history, the two nations met three times at Arena Zagreb. For the moment, the French handball team dominates the debates (2009 World Cup: 19-22 defeat in the first match of the main round and 24-19 victory in the final, Euro 2018: Victory 30-27 in the main round). Faced with Croatia, the Blues won 22 games, lost and 14 times and a draw. If Luka Karabatic and his partners have a psychological ascendant in view of the history of confrontations, Guillaume Gille still measures the way to go: “It’s a rare moment, a chance to make history, but we know that the road is still long. Our goal is to continue to move forward, with the team and for the team “.
A match hoped for by the Croats
Hero in front of the Hungarians, the Croatian goalkeeper and porter of Nantes, Ivan Pesic, did not fail to reveal before the quarter -final between France and Egypt, whom he wanted to find Julien Bos, Aymeric Minne or Thibaud Briet and Nicolas Tournat on the prosecution this Thursday: “”I spoke to Thibaud (Briet), Julien (Bos), Nicolas (Tournat) and Aymeric (Minne). Would I prefer to meet France or Egypt? If we come across France, there will be at least a medalist in Nantes (smile). I hope they will win and we’ll see who is better in the semi-finals “.
What time does France – Croatia start?
The kick-off of the semi-final of the Handball World Cup between France and Croatia is planned Thursday January 30 at 9:00 p.m. at the Arena Zagreb of Zagreb (Croatia).
On which channel to watch France – Croatia?
TV rights in the world handball championship, BeIN SPORTS 1 will broadcast the prestigious poster between French players and their Croatian opponents. The match will also be broadcast in clear on Tfx.
How to follow France – Croatia in streaming?
If you want to watch the semi-final of the World Handball World between the Blues and the Croats on your computer, smartphone or tablet, you will have to subscribe to a subscription on Mycanal or on the site BeIN SPORTS. You can also create an account on TF1+.
What are the numbers of France and Croatia?
France: Rémy Desbonnet and Charles Bolzinger (Guardians)Dylan Nahi and Mathieu Grebille (Left wingers)Elohim Prandi and Thibaud Briet (Left rear)Aymeric Minne and Nedim Remili (Half centers)Dika Mem and Melvyn Richardson (Right rear)Benoît Kounkoud and Julien Bos (Rights Ailiers)Luka Karabatic, Ludovic Fabregas, Nicolas Tournat and Karl Konan (Pivots).
Croatia: Dominik Kuzmanović,Josip Šimić, Zvonimir Srna, Ivano Pavlovic,Mateo Maraš,Marko Mamić,Ivan Pešić,Tin Lučin, Domagoj Duvnjak,Ivan Martinović,Leon Šušnja,Sailor Šipić,Filip Glavaš,Mario Šoštarić,Marin Jelinić and Luka Lovre Klarica
What are the prognosis of France – Croatia?
- Betclic: France: 1,29 / draw: 10.25 / Croatia: 4.27
- Bwin: France: 1.36 / zero: 11.00 / Croatia: 3.40
- Netbet: France: 1.32 / zero: 10.50 / Croatia: 4.00
- Unibet: France: 1.29 / zero: 10.50 / Croatia: 4.40