As in 2016, Spain reached the final at the European Championship in Croatia, and could be the first country ever to play on Europe’s handball throne. The two-time World Champion won in Zagreb 27-23 (15-9) against France and will face the winner of the second semi-final between Denmark and Sweden (NOW in LIVETICKER) on Sunday.
From the start, the French had serious problems against the German team’s conqueror and were trailing by three goals for the first time in eleven minutes. One reason was Vincent Gerard’s lack of goalkeeper performance, who failed to save a single ball in the first quarter of an hour.
In addition, coach Didier Dinart’s team missed too many chances and made a few technical mistakes. Nikola Karabatic and Kentin Mahe didn’t get the back room going. If anything went in the attack, then it was Cedric Sorhaindo, who scored four of the nine French goals in the first round.
Indeed, France was similar to France in the 18th century. After that, the Spaniards moved away thanks to their coolness in the attack and a good defence. Ferran Sole converted a due seven-metre to a 7:1 run and a 15:9 break after the lapse of time.
Even in the second round, the match of the three-time European champion did not improve for a long time. The French made far too many mistakes, while Spain continued to defend strongly and led by the strong playmaker Daniel Sarmiento played his attacks in a structured and patient manner until a good opportunity presented itself.
As a result, coach Jordi Ribera’s squad went down in the 45th minute. minute at 23:14. Only now did Karabtic & Co. awaken – and how! A 6:0 run within five and a half minutes brought the favourites back to 20:23, the Spaniards now suddenly fluttered their nerves. Even Ferran Sole, who has been outstanding to date, failed for the first time in his seventh seven-metre race.
The Spaniards finally stopped the race with a strong cover. France came no closer than they could get to three goals and, after their first defeat in this tournament, they will have to take third place on Sunday.
Arpad Sterbik made for a great story. Spain’s goalkeeper legend was nominated for the semi-finals for the injured Gonzalo Perez de Vargas. The 38-year-old entered the record only five times when France was awarded a seven-metre medal – and fought back three times!
Scorers France: Sorhaindo (6), Lagarde, Karabatic, Porte (all 3), Mahe (3 – 2 of 3 seven meters), Dipanda, Abalo, Mem (all 1), Guigou (1 – 0 of 1 seven meters), Caucheteux (1 – 1 of 2 seven meters).
Goal scorers Spain: Brine (7 – 6 of 7 seven-metres), Entrerrios (6), Sarmiento (3 – 0 of 1 seven-metre), Gurbindo, Aguinagalde, Canellas (all 2), Arino, Fugueras, Dujshebaev (all 1), Rivera (1 – 0 of 1 seven-metre), Balaguer (1 – 1 of 1 seven-metre).
Two-minute time penalty: France 4 – Spain 4
Together with playmaker Sarmiento, FC Barcelona’s backroom player formed an outstanding team. Entrerrios was the best Spanish thrower with six goals and scored six of his eight throws (75%).
Clearly, goalkeeper Vincent Gerard (3 out of 17.18 percent) was almost a complete failure until his replacement for Cyril Dumoulin. Luc Abalo also disappointed. Nevertheless, Karabatic is standing here because the superstar also played very weakly. He made an unusually high number of technical mistakes and bad passports. In addition, he scuttled only three of his eight throws (38 percent).