World Handball Championship: France easily beat Saudi Arabia and advanced to the main round

Nice walk before attacking the serious stuff. In their second meeting of the competition, still in Katowice (Poland), the French team did not go into details against Saudi Arabia (41-23), and at the same time advanced to the major round. Next Monday (18:00) it is necessary for Slovenia to play in the last preliminary match to gain confidence before the others attack, on Wednesday in Krakow.

Launched into orbit by their first success (26-24) against Poland, Guillaume Gilles’ men were confident in their superiority over the weakest team in their roster. More than one world, almost a universe separates the Olympic champion and 3rd at the Asian Championships 2022, who qualified at the end of this competition with Didier Dinard at the head.

Twenty years ago, for six days, France and Saudi Arabia clashed at the 2003 World Cup, the only showdown between the two countries. A special day for one Nikola Karabatic, who stayed on the bench for his first win against the Blues (30-23). The now 38-year-old PSG central midfielder was spared for around twenty minutes before returning to the floor to score his first goal of the competition and finally give his team some air (15-10). By the break the game has already been reset (24-14).

Deprived of Luka Karabatic, his captain recovering from injury, and Dickie Mem (saved by staff), but able to count on the return of Valentin Porte, Guillaume Gilles is largely changing his workforce. All outfield players listed on the match sheet go there with their achievements, with special mentions to Kentin Mahe, Nicolas Thurn and Giannis Lenne (6, 7 and 8 goals). A small flat: some approaches in defense, which allowed the brave Saudis to overcome the bar of 20 goals.

France now has two days to recover before facing Slovenia, who have done well with six straight wins since 2015. You will need to win to make sure you finish at the top of the group and therefore score maximum points before going into the main round where the Blues will find Spain as well as two other opponents from Montenegro, Iran and Chile. .