France were crowned European champions after an overtime win over Denmark

The Blues won their fourth European Champion title in ten years, thanks to their extremely close victory in overtime (33-31) against the Danish world champions on Sunday.

Ten years later, here are the blues again on the rooftops of Europe. The reigning Olympic champions won the fourth European title in their history by defeating Denmark in the final on Sunday 28 January (33-31). Despite numerous saves from the opposing goalkeeper, Emile Nielsen, good French defense allowed Guillaume Guille’s men to prevail against the world champions. A good omen six months before the Paris Olympic Games, when the French women’s team won the world title in December.

Hugs and tears too for Samir Belahsin. The goalkeeper opens his list of achievements with the most difficult title to win in international handball. These scenes of joy are at the end of a bitter battle, at the height of redemption for the blues. In front of the press, on the eve of the match, both teams, who know each other by heart from meeting in the final, declared that they expected a close match, and it happened. Neck and neck in the score, the Tricolor never scored more than two goals in advance, while the Danes managed three goals, but without breaking much. One of the keys to the match then lies in the goalkeeper’s ability to stop the opponent’s shot, and at this point, the Danes started with an important advantage: two very experienced and confident goalkeepers in this Euro, with a 40% save. 33% for Emil Nilsson and Niklas Landin.

The first was established and his success did not escape him. Sparkling, he quickly upset the Blues with six saves in 15 minutes already, while Samir Belahsen, significantly less experienced, made his first save in just the 19th minute. Despite the offensive ineffectiveness epitomized by 0/4 from their top scorer, Dika Mem, stout defending still allowed Guillaume Guille’s men to stay in touch with the Danes (14-14) at the break.

Wear and tear and mental

The French continued to chase the score in the second half, notably when the excellent Nielsen was replaced by the less-than-excellent Niklas Landin, the author of several crucial saves. But as they have shown since the start of the tournament, the French have the resources and once again equalized thirty seconds from the end of regulation time through Ludovic Fabregas. A final direct free throw scored by Denmark on the gong won’t change anything. It’s not Elohim Prandi who wants to and Mikael Hansen, more eccentric, sees his effort blocked by the French wall.

With the score tied against Sweden at the end of regulation time (27-27), both teams went to overtime, and once again, the Blues outplayed their opponents. Elohim Prandi, confident after his miraculous free throw in the semifinals, Dika Mem, who scored his only two goals of the match after the 65th minute, and “Zamir” Belahsen, as the German announcer called them, were decisive. gave them victory.

France, unbeaten in the first three Euro finals they have played so far (2006, 2010 and 2014), maintain their momentum. The Blues won a fourth European title and thus equaled Sweden’s record. They will attack the Paris Olympic Games armed with the titles of reigning Olympic champions and European champions.