In Porec, on the Croatian coast, the French team finishes this Saturday with its first round of the World Handball Championship. After sweeping Qatar (37-19) then Kuwait (43-19), the Blues finish the first phase with opposition against Austria. Their first two victories already guarantee them qualification for the main round which will begin on January 21.
This Saturday, here they are facing their most “formidable” opponent of the first week. The Austrians will offer them a slightly more solid opposition than the first two. And so much the better. The Austrians also beat Kuwait and Qatar. They are qualified for the rest but they were scared against the Qataris (28-26).
“The opportunity to refuel before leaving for the main round”
This seems to place the level of this team which should not pose many problems for Guillaume Gille’s players. “We have a preliminary round final coming up against Austria, a European team which caused us a lot of problems during the last Euro,” analyzes the coach. Certainly, he is missing a certain number of his executives due to injury, it is a rejuvenated team that we will have to study carefully. The competition is gaining momentum and it will be an opportunity to refuel before heading off to the main round.”
-Beyond first place in the group, the Blues must win without being afraid because the points won in the first round will count for the rest. They must also take advantage of the opportunity to give playing time to convalescents like Elohim Prandi who started his World Cup on Thursday against Kuwait. “I found myself a little hesitant. I want to do well but not do too much. It’s a curious circle. Slowly but surely, I let things come to me and I relaxed little by little. I’m not worried, things will crescendo even if everything is not perfect yet. I want to level up quickly to help my friends,” says the Parisian, reassured and no longer suffering from his shoulder.
France-Austria will be followed this Saturday, January 18 from 6 p.m. on TMC and beIN Sports 3.
