The French handball players, heavily beaten by Iceland on Saturday in Budapest (29-21), conceded a first defeat at Euro-2022 in Hungary in the main round which puts them in a very delicate position for qualification for the semi-finals .
The Blues have completely slipped on the ground of ice. Lost in defense with the absence of Ludovic Fabregas (flu symptoms) and in attack with the package of Kentin Mahé, announced positive for Covid-19 the same morning, the men of Erick Mathé lost their means in front of Icelanders also very weakened by the Covid, but led by the enormous performances of left-hander Omar Magnusson and goalkeeper Viktor Hallgrimsson.
Mathé, who replaces Guillaume Gille, also positive for Covid-19, would certainly have preferred another first. Because with this heavy defeat, the Blues are in a very uncomfortable position for a qualification for the semi-finals.
They will have to beat Montenegro (Monday, 8:30 p.m.) and the Danish favorites (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.), and in addition by a large success over the Olympic vice-champions, to keep the hope of climbing into the last four.
Iceland, now second, is down to 4 points, like France, and above all has a special goal difference (+4) favorable compared to the French, built up thanks to a superb match.