Handball European Championship: World Champion France enters the main round

World champion France was the first team to enter the main round of the European Handball Championship in Croatia. On Sunday, the French star ensemble defeated outsiders Austria with 33:26 (17:12). On Friday, France had just beaten Norway (32:31) in the opening match of last year’s World Cup Final. In Group A, record European champion Sweden beat Serbia 30:25 (16:10).

The former Kieler Nikola Karabatic was spared by the French coach Didier Dinart and Guillaume Gille and was not used. The best thrower of the match was Timothey N’ Guessan of France with seven goals. France concludes the preliminary round on Tuesday against Belarus (18.15 hrs).

The young, inexperienced Austrians are under pressure after two defeats and have to win against Norway on Tuesday (20.30 hrs) to have a chance at the main round. In the evening, the Scandinavians will face Belarus at 8.30 pm in the late Group B match. Host and tournament favourite Croatia will play in Group A without his injured backroom star Domagoj Duvnjak against Iceland (20.30 hrs).

Sweden’s victory in a duel with Serbia after the opening defeat against Iceland was important for their progress. Sweden’s Albin Lagergren and Nemanja Ilic were the best shooters with five goals each.

The match between France and Austria was led by the only German referee team at the European Championship. Lars Geipel and Marcus Helbig had already whistled the opening game of hosts Croatia against Serbia.