French handball players got closer to qualifying for the main round of Euro 2022 by beating Ukraine 36-23 on Saturday January 15, early evening in Szeged (Hungary).
Guillaume Gille’s players signed a second success in as many games, after their initial victory against Croatia (27-22) on Thursday.
In the event of a victory or a draw on Saturday evening (8:30 p.m.) for Serbia against Croatia, affected by numerous cases of Covid-19, the French will be mathematically qualified for the main round.
The reigning Olympic champions will face Serbia in their third match of the first round on Monday evening (8:30 p.m.) still in Szeged. Valentin Porte’s teammates will then have to stock up on points, because the results of the first phase will be kept for the rest of the competition.
First steps of Thibaud Briet
The absence of Nikola Karabatic, left to rest after playing three quarters of the match against Croatia, allowed Thibaud Briet to take his first steps in a major competition. The rear of Nantes had a very good first period (3 goals).
The Blues quickly took control of the match, and Guillaume Gille was able to rotate his workforce, in particular Ludovic Fabregas, the pivot most used two days ago against Croatia, behind Nikola Karabatic.
Private, from the 34and minute, of their best player, Dmytro Horiha (7 goals), sanctioned with a red card, the Ukrainians sank in the last twenty minutes of the second period.