Following Egypt’s victory to open Group B at the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship, France recorded their first win at Spain 2019 and thereby joined the African title holders on two points. With the generation of players that won the 2017 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, the European side were in control throughout the game against Nigeria, leaving no question about the result early on.

 

GROUP B
France vs Nigeria 48:19 (26:9)

 

As medallists at every major international championship they have contested, France’s 1998 generation began their Spain 2019 campaign as a force to be reckoned with. Nigeria felt the full brunt of that force, as they were clearly defeated in the round one encounter against the 2017 U19 world champions and U20 EHF EURO 2018 silver medallists.

 

France scored four unanswered goals in the opening five minutes, immediately setting the tone for the game. After 10 minutes, the European side had created a six-goal lead, and they would only continue to increase the gap as the clock ticked on.

 

As with all of France’s national teams, a solid 6-0 defence provided a strong base for their advantage in the game. At the end of the 10th minute, France goalkeeper Valentin Kieffer had faced only two shots that endangered the goal, saving one. The defence often caused Nigeria to shoot wide of the goal or make errors in attack that allowed France to run fast breaks and rapidly increase their lead.

 

France coach Johann Delattre changed his entire line-up, aside from Kieffer, by the 20th minute, but it made no difference to his team’s dominance. By half-time, the outcome of the match was clearly decided, and France had an easy-going second 30 minutes as they cruised to a decisive victory.

 

In the second half, Gauthier Ivah came into France’s goal to replace Kieffer, and had a great game, recording a 50% save rate with 10 stops. Delattre used the game to practice different combinations, including substituting off 2017 Youth World Championship MVP Kyllian Villeminot in defence – a tactic that will undoubtedly be deployed when France face tougher opponents and need their attacking ace fully focused on leading the offence.

 

Nigeria fought hard but there was no doubt who would claim the two points at the final whistle long before the end of the match. France right wing Edouard Kempf finished as the top scorer, with nine goals.

 

Player of the match: Edouard Kempf, France