The French handball team concludes its adventure at the Handball World Cup this Sunday in Oslo against Portugal. A match for third place that could offer the Blues a bronze medal after disillusionment in the semi-finals.
Helcomed by the Croats, helpless in the game, paralyzed by the stake and the atmosphere Thursday in the semi-finals, the Blues have the heavy mission to seek a bronze medal against the surprising Portuguese. Despite a morale at half mast and a heavy disappointment caused by this stinging defeat against one of the host countries (28-31), the French have the duty to win for this last decisive match which could offer this Select a small reward after a route that has only known one false note.
The match against Croatia was a failed meeting as pointed out on Thursday the coach of the Blues Guillaume Gille ” The course so far was of high quality, the state of mind was top, this team advanced, and today (Thursday), it was not completely there. In the context where we were, it was not enough. We needed a stronger performance in all positions, all sectors of the game to make Croatia vacillate. “” Embarrassed by an extremely solid opposing 1-5 defensive system and by the opposing physical power which took over in duels, France did not exist in the first period ” Their system (defensive) 1-5 posed problems for us. We did not find effectiveness in somewhat open situations. There was a cocktail of situations that put the Croats with confidence and us in the hard“Added Gille with a lot of regrets.
Defensive solidity to find
The coach also highlighted this instinct of champion who seems to desert the French team gradually over the international adventures with the successive pensions of Thierry Omeyer, Daniel Narcisse, Michael Guigou, Luc Abalo and Luka Karabatic. Apart from the average nations (Hungary, Netherlands, Austria), France no longer manages to dominate its adversaries with as much ease as before. The success in Euro 2024 was a beautiful parenthesis, but it comforted this impression that the Blues have no more margins on the world top 3. Despite an exceptional journey on this edition, Portugal has not yet been part of it despite very talented elements like the Costa brothers (Francisco and Martim) and the semi-center Rui Silva. It may be a chance for Nedim Remili’s partners to approach this last meeting seriously, confidence but much less pressure.
Aymeric Minne, Thibaud Briet and to a lesser degree Rémi Desbonnet are one of those elements that have finally had their chance in this World Cup and who knew how to get out of the game. With the revanchard tauliers like Dika Mem and Ludovic Fabregas they will have at heart to conclude this world championship today with a beautiful bronze medal around the neck. The key to success is mainly in the ability of the Blues to approach the meeting well and remain compact defensively. The dream of conquest of title has soared but a charm even in bronze can enhance a certain quality of this workforce while offering a nice springboard for better days.
At what time will the meeting take place
The match between France and Portugal will start at 3:00 p.m. this Sunday. It will take place at Unity Arena de Baerum (Oslo, Norway)
On which TV channel is broadcast France – Portugal?
This ranking match for third place in the world championship will be broadcast on the L’Equipe and BeIN Sports 1 channel.
What broadcast streaming for the France – Portugal match?
To follow the streaming match, you have to go to the dedicated bein connect platform or to the Lequipe.fr website.
What are the numbers of France and Portugal
France: Rémy Desbonnet and Charles Bolzinger (Guardians), Dylan Nahi and Mathieu Grebille (left wingers), Elohim Prandi and Thibaud Briet (left back), Aymeric Minne and Nedim Remili (Demi-Center), Dika Mem and Melvyn Richardson (right back), Benoît Kounkoud and Julien Bos (Ailiers rights), Luka Karabatic, Ludovic Fabregas, Nicolas Tournat and Karl Konan (pivots)
Portugal: Diogo Rema Marques, Diogo Valerio, Gustavo Capdeville (goalkeeper), Leonel Fernandes, Diogo Branquinho (left wingers), Alexandre Cavalcanti, Salvador Salvador, Fabio Magalhaes, Gabriel Cavalcanti (left back), Miguel Martins, Rui Silva, Martim Costa (half centers ), Kiko Costa, Joao Gomes (Right’s back), Antonio Areia, Pedro Portela (Auileiers rights), Victor Iturriza, Alexis Borges, Luis Frade, Ricardo Brandao, Antonio Machado (pivots)
The different ribs
Unibet: France 1.24 / zer 11.00 / Portugal 4.75.
Winamax: France 1.22 / draw 9.50 / Portugal 4.30
Sport bets: France 1.25 / zer 11.00 / Portugal 4.75.