Les Blues are ready!
On Saturday afternoon, France finished their preparations for the 2023 World Cup with the final of the Tourney de France. In an Orléans Arena busting with anticipation, Les Bleus prevailed over Egypt (33-32).
A success in which the players of Paris Saint-Germain Handball played no small part. In particular, the Karabatic siblings once again showed sparkling form. While Nikola managed to find the net on three of his four attempts, Luka scored on both of his two shots. Mathieu Grébille was another Parisian with a 100% record, going three for three against the Egyptian goal. This attacking efficiency, combined with 18 saves from our former goalkeeper, Vincent Gérard, proved just enough to overcome a very fine Egyptian side.
FIN DU MATCH 🇫🇷 33 - 32 🇪🇬
— Equipes de France de Handball (@FRAHandball) January 7, 2023
C'est terminé !
Les BLEUS s'imposent dans une Aréna d'Orléans en feu ! 🔥
Les BLEUS remportent le Tournoi de France et font le plein de confiance avant de partir en Pologne pour le MONDIAL IHF ⚡#BleuetFier pic.twitter.com/C0xqF2mFE6
The next day, France coach Guillaume Gille announced the final squad list of 18 players to participate in the World Cup (from 11 to 29 January, in Poland and Sweden). The list includes four Rouge et Bleu: Luka Karabatic (France captain), Elohim Prandi, Mathieu Grébille and Nikola Karabatic. France will kick off the World Cup campaign on Wednesday, against co-hosts Poland (who will be without Kamil Syprzak).
La liste de nos 18 BLEUS qui partiront en Pologne pour le MONDIAL 🔥#BLEUETFIER 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/z4JnjY6nUm
— Equipes de France de Handball (@FRAHandball) January 8, 2023
(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)