France hold off Egypt
On Monday afternoon, on Paris Saint-Germain Handball's home turf at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, France played their first preparation match for the Tokyo Olympics against Egypt, running out winners in a suspenseful match.
For most of the game, the two teams went back and forth, with neither side able to break away. At half-time, after an interception and a goal by Nikola Karabatic, the score was still tied (30': 16-16). Despite strong performances form the Parisians, with goals from Niko and Nedim Remili, as well as saves from Yann Genty, the visitors started to get the upper hand at the end of the second half and thought they had done the job (56': 27-30). But Guillaume Gille's men managed to make up the deficit and had a chance to clinch a come-from-behind win when they were awarded penalty after the buzzer. Kentin Mahé converted and France won by the skin of their teeth (31-30)!
Les Bleus now have a few days off. They will meet again on 10 July, when they fly to Japan. Several friendly matches await them, first in Koshu against the host country, then in Tokyo against Denmark. The serious stuff will start on 24 July against Argentina before clashes with Brazil, Germany, Spain and Norway.
🔊 Monte le son, tu ne verras rien de plus beau aujourd'hui 😚
— Equipes de France de Handball (@FRAHandball) July 6, 2021
C'est signé Kentin "Clutch" MAHÉ 🌩 #BleuetFier #DirectionTokyo pic.twitter.com/Id8QF7a9gk
(Credits: A. Gadoffre/TeamPics/PSG)