The World Handball World is over for the Blues, swept by Croatia (32-27) in the semi-finals. After a first nightmare period, Guillaume Gille’s players are eliminated and will try to get the bronze medal.
23:20 – Blues in halftone, the summary of the match
The Blues released at the gates of the final! While the poster had been expected since the start of the competition, the scenario quickly turned for the Croatian premises in an incandescent Arena Zagreb. In front of his completely overflowing audience, Mateo Maras and his partners take the best start and take advantage of the tricolor inaccuracies in attack to take off (1-3, 3rd) but the Blues are recolving. In difficulty in the face of the traditional Croatian defense in 1-5, the Blues never managed to find solutions during a first one-way act. Ball losses have multiplied, benefiting Croats, “dead” on each ball. More aggressive, more precise and above all more determined, the Croats only made a bite of French players in the first thirty minutes, where the gap is up to nine goals (8-17, 24th). In the last five minutes of the first act, Guillaume Gille attempted a first poker stroke and a 1-5 defense, awarded with a difference in the reduced score (11-18, 30th).
Upon returning from the locker room, the Blues have no choice and must make a second period of anthology. It starts well around the new defensive scheme preserved. Aymeric Minne stays in half-center, while Nedim Remili slides at the back. But a first turning point undermines tricolor hopes. On an attack, Aymeric Minne struck the face of his vis-à-vis with his elbow and is directly excluded (31st). Croats and Marin Jelinic, Imperial (7 goals tonight) more needed. After a few defensive stops and several favorable actions, the Blues grab goals and reduce the gap, but the locals get out of it thanks to the parades of Dominik Kuzmanovic, imperial and individual exploits and Srna and Martinovic, in particular. While the tricolor defense went in 3-3, a new fact of play does not benefit them: five minutes from the end, the Croats are in double numerical inferiority but the Blues do not take the opportunity to add a supplement of soul and definitively return to the score.
The men of Guillaume Gille finally bowed 28-31 and see the doors of a seventh continental title close. This Sunday, they will face the loser of the semi-final Portugal-Danemark for the bronze medal.
23:15 – Srna man of the match
Co-manner Croatian scorer with Marin Jelinic, Zvonimir Srna was elected man of the match.
23:10 – Bronze in the viewfinder
Despite the defeat this evening against Croatia, the Blues still have a match to play at the World Cup: it will be against the loser of the other semi-final Portugal-Danemark who is competing this Friday at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
End of the match ???????? 28-31 ????????
It’s over, the Blues bow to the gates of the final against the Croats.
Bronze objective now for France which will fight Sunday to return from the World Cup with a medal ????????#Bleuetfier pic.twitter.com/i8tlzchxgr– French handball teams (@frahandball) January 30, 2025
23:05 – Gille: “Leave to get bronze”
Guillaume Gille at the microphone of BeIN Sports: “A big disappointment to have shown two faces in this match. We had trouble finding good solutions on the defenses in 1-5. Despite all the efforts, we are forced to Declaring defeated, this evening. Croats.
23:00 – Fabregas: “Something that did not work”
Ludovic Fabregas at the microphone of Bein Sport: “Already, congratulations to the Croats. They were dominators on this match. We were not late throughout the match. We had a great reaction in the second period and we can’t say anything Bravo for the second half but that was not enough, we cannot say anything. Bravo to the opponent for superb shots in your skylight “.
22:55 – Remili: “I’m proud”
NEDIM Remili at the microphone of BeIN Sports: “It’s a bit hard. I have in mind work since November. A slightly bitter taste on the first period when we did not hold the cadence, the intensity. We. was not at the rendezvous of the first period but I retain the fighting spirit. In two days that we will try to finish well. Our game. Their defense in 1-5 worked superbly.
22:50 – No seventh title
Eliminated this Thursday evening by Croatia, the Blues will not cling to a seventh world title.
22:46 – It’s over (28-31)
After a last goal from Mathieu Grebille, France bowed to Croatia (28-31). The Blues will face the loser of the other semi-final between Portugal and Denmark.
22:43-Last-time day (27-31)
There remains a minute to compete, but the Blues will be eliminated from the World Handball in the semi-finals.
22:42 – French hopes disappear (27-31)
In force, Sipic puts an end to the hopes of the Blues.
22:41 – Nahi taken (27-30)
Caught by Martinovic’s arms, Dylan Nahi leaves his teammates in numerical inferiority.
22:40 – Richardson back (27-30)
On a seven -meter jet obtained by Dika Mem, Melvyn Richardson deceives Kuzmanovic, author of two parades on the exercise until now.
22:39 – Karacic precious (26-29)
Seven meter jet for Croatia obtained by Karacic three minutes from the final whistle.
22:37 – Time scrolls (26-29)
At the end of the tricolor possession, Dika Mem deceives Croatian defense with a schwenker.
22:37 – Five minutes (25-29)
In counter-attack, Benoit Kounkoud smashes the transverse bar of Kuzmanovic.
22:35 – Remili taken (25-29)
The evening turns a nightmare for the Blues! Taken by Glavas, Nedim Remili received a two minutes away.
22:34 – The Arena Zagreb in Musional (25-29)
It was the turn of the match! In numerical superiority, the Blues conceded a goal from Karacic before Kuzmanovic diverts a long attempt from Fabregas in the empty goal.
22:32 – Lunar decision (25-28)
For a similar situation, Aymeric Minne has been excluded but Jelenic received a two -minute. The Blues are in double numerical superiority.
22:31 – Remili is twisted with pain (25-28)
What a horrible climb of Jelinic who struck Nedim remitted in the face! In the process, Dika Mem scores but the referees will view the action in video.
22:30 – Two minutes (24-28)
After a goal from the winger Jelinic, Mamic commits a gross fault on Briet and received a two -minute. The atmosphere is unbearable in the Arena Zagreb!
22:29 – Sixth goal (24-27)
Mem encourages his partners and give voice. Sixth goal from the tricolor right.
22:27 – The huge cartridge (22-27)
While Srna had slipped, Martinovic escapes the three -color arms on a cross shot. A goal that hurts French morale.
22:25 –4 (22-26)
Situation of 6 against 5 after the exclusion for two minutes of Lucin. Found by Briet, Mem puts the two nations on four goals. There are almost ten minutes left.