The French team defeated the Netherlands this Thursday (35-28) and obtains its ticket for the quarter-finals of the World Handball World Cup.
19:45 – Match summary
France crushes the Netherlands and heads to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Handball World Cup (35-28). If the Netherlands take the lead from the start of the match, France will not panic at all and will gradually take the measure of its opponent, just like what it has been doing since the start of the competition. The Blues will notably rely on Mem who once again scores goals. The French defense as well as Desbonnet responded and very quickly allowed the French to take off in the first act. At the end of the first 30 minutes, Guillaume Gille’s team returned to the locker room with a six-goal lead. The start of the second period was very exciting as the Netherlands played their part to try to catch up. But France remains solid and effective offensively. This will allow Guillaume Gille’s men to quietly move towards the quarter-finals of this World Cup with new fireworks in their pocket. The match against North Macedonia this Saturday will only be a dress rehearsal before these knockout matches.
7:35 p.m. – One last match to be played in the main round
France is the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals of this World Cup. However, there will remain one final match to be played in this main round. It will be this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. against North Macedonia.
19:28 – It’s over!
France wins against the Netherlands and therefore advances to the quarter-finals of this 2025 Handball World Cup. Another serious performance from the French who still seem untouchable.
19:27 – Bolzinger’s exit (34-28)
The French goalkeeper leaves his area to prevent a rapid transition from the Dutch. The ball finally goes for a corner.
19:24 – A messy end to the match (33-27)
There is a lot of waste at the end of this France – Netherlands. We feel that the mass has been said and that the two teams are stammering their handball somewhat.
19:23 – Prandi’s missile (33-26)
Prandi is far away but it’s not really a problem for the French rear who adjusts perfectly to the Dutch goalkeeper.
19:22 – Good French defense (32-26)
The Dutch came up against the French defense on this action and the ball changed hands.
19:20 – A time out requested (32-26)
Guillaume Gille takes a timeout as we enter the last five minutes of this France – Netherlands.
19:19 – 100% for Richardson (32-24)
Third successful throw of 7m for Richardson who is still at 6/6 in this France – Netherlands.
19:17 – The last ten minutes (31-24)
There are only ten minutes left to play in this France – Netherlands and the Blues once again seem untouchable. They have a seven-goal lead and are getting closer to qualifying for the quarter-finals.
19:15 – Bolzinger’s save! (31-23)
The French goalkeeper disgusts his opponents with this move even though they had attempted kung fu.
7:13 p.m. – Richardson must go out (30-22)
Melvyn Richardson is late and crashes into his opponent. He receives two minutes of exclusion in this France – Netherlands.
19:12 – Baijens continues (29-22)
The number 77 of the Netherlands has just made two shots underneath in this match. He gains confidence in this second half.
19:09 – The bad French streak did not last (26-20)
While the Blues experienced a slight gap in this France – Netherlands, that already seems to be behind them. Briet and Remili find each other perfectly before the latter lobs the Dutch goalkeeper. Superb offensive move.
19:08 – Richardson succeeds in his new penalty (25-19)
Another successful penalty for Melvyn Richardson who makes the opposing goalkeeper dance on a fake shot before adjusting it perfectly.
19:07 – A little more waste in the Blues’ game (24-19)
It’s been a few minutes since the French offensive game has been a little more borrowed. The Blues nevertheless manage to stay in front with a lead that remains as comfortable as ever.
19:05 – Karabatic unlocks its counter (24-18)
Luka Karabatic is well found on the outskirts of the Dutch zone and concludes perfectly. He scores his first goal in this France – Netherlands.
19:03 – Two minutes against Kooij (23-17)
For the first time in the evening, Kooij is excluded for two minutes. However, he had just scored his fifth goal in this France – Netherlands.
19:01 – Mem walks (23-16)
What a strike from Dika Mem which adds a new goal to the Blues’ tally in this France – Netherlands. He is 7/10 shooting.
18:59 – A successful 7m throw (22-16)
Richardson takes charge of the first French 7m throw of this France – Netherlands and succeeds without trembling. The Blues regain a six-point lead.
18:57 – The goals keep coming (21-16)
Very open start to the second period in this France – Netherlands. Already five goals have been scored in four minutes played in this second half.
18:56 – Bolzinger in the cages (20-14)
There was a change of goalkeeper in the French cages for the second period of this France – Netherlands. Bolzinger replaced Desbonnet.