THElympic champion France suffered a defeat that was as unexpected as it was significant at the European Handball Championships. The team of former Bundesliga professional Guillaume Gille, who, like two of his players, is currently in quarantine after a positive corona test, lost to Iceland in Budapest in front of 11,394 spectators by 21:29 (10:17) and has to worry about entering the semifinals .
France’s most successful professional Nikola Karabatic scored just one goal in six attempts. The performance of the three-time world handball player was an example of the weak chances of the French, who are 4:2 points level with Iceland and are now under a lot of pressure: Only the best two teams reach the semi-finals, France is still playing against Montenegro and has been strong so far emerging world champion Denmark.
The Dutch had previously scored their first points in the main round by beating Montenegro 34:30 (18:16). With 2:4 points, both teams have little chance of reaching the semi-finals.
