The French men’s handball team has yet to punch its ticket to the second stage of the European Championship. Against all expectations, the Blues conceded a draw (26-26) against Switzerland in Berlin on Sunday, January 14, on the second day of the so-called “preliminary” phase. Big winners of North Macedonia (39-29) Four days earlier, Guillaume Guille’s men delivered a pale copy, worrying to say at least 48 hours before the already decisive match: top of the group facing the host country, Germany.
Feverish in defence, timid in attack, unable to deploy the pace of play that makes them unique, the reigning Olympic champions have never been able to consolidate enough distance against their opponents, re-energized after their heavy defeat against Germany (27-14) on Wednesday 10 January. in Dusseldorf.
For sixty minutes, the Blues were doubly punished. Thanks to the resilience of first goalkeeper Nicola Portner, the author of 10 saves on 34 shots (29.41%). Then through the mastery of center-half and veteran Andy Schmid (40 years), in attack, who multiplied the passes on the French defense to serve his two pivots, especially Lucas Laube, the author of 9 goals (10 shots from). Except for a few minutes with a +3 goal difference, then furtively +4 goals, the French never managed to take a solid lead. In a tense yo-yo game, the Swiss handball players hit the mark every time.
A setback against Germany on Tuesday
The scenario could have been bleaker for the Blues without Dika Mem’s extended shots (9 goals) or the rediscovery of the connection between Nedim Ramilli and Ludovic Fabregas. A six-time scorer from six tries, the latter surpassed the 300-goal mark for the French side on Sunday – in 124 caps. Only one real satisfaction in the French camp deserves to be highlighted: the performance of goalkeeper Samir Belahsen, who converted 11 of 24 shots (45.83%) for his first steps in a major international competition, in the absence of usual captain Vincent. Gerard.
The difficulty in making set attacks, the inability to move forward with minimal passes, the obvious shortcomings of playing without the ball would seem less worrisome if the “hardest” part didn’t await the Blues. Germany first, in front of his audience, on Tuesday 16 January. A prelude to the last four, before a possible second round (four matches).
Guillaume Gill modestly noted that “Somewhat average personal performance” on BeinSports’ microphone after the meeting. “The attack space remains open with the need to find more percussion, The Blues coach added. Our DNA is to run, to set fire to the great outdoors. However, in the second half, we were very conservative.” – Understand: not mobile enough, nor fluid in the transmission. A discipline based on percussion and speed, handball is difficult to play at a slower pace.
France can still top their group, provided they beat Germany. They could also fail to finish third in non-qualification, in the event of a heavy defeat against Mannschaft and a big win for the Swiss against North Macedonia – then everything will be decided on goal difference. The triple European champions (2006, 2010, 2014) will then be overtaken by the statistic that they have never won the Euros in the same year as the Olympic Games.
