After three thrilling eighth-finals decided by one goal in Pontevedra, France and Spain did not let the crowd in As Travesas Sports Hall down, playing a spectacular game that ended with France reaching the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship quarter-finals. As with the three games that preceded it, the eighth-final that was a rematch of the 2017 Youth World Championship trophy match was decided only in the final seconds. 

EIGHTH-FINAL
France vs Spain 24:23 (13:10)

France finished their preliminary round campaign with two unexpected defeats, versus Sweden and Egypt. As they had only lost two matches at official competitions in their entire history at major international championships before this, it was a shock for the 1998 France generation to enter the knock-out stage as the third-ranked team in their group. 

They were therefore highly determined to find their own game again – and naturally, to progress to the next quarter-finals. That determination showed, as France had a far stronger opening to the game. The MVP at the 2017 Youth World Championship, Kyllian Villeminot, was back at his best, leading France to an early lead of 4:2 after five minutes, with two goals in that period. 

Spain started with 5-1 defence that France easily found gaps in, and the hosts soon dropped back to 6-0. However, France were completely in control. With their goalkeeper Valentin Kieffer recording seven saves at 58% in the first 20 minutes, France easily stayed in front, 10:6. 

It was a heated match, and France had to work hard once Spain switched to 6-0 defence. Coach Yohann Delattre changed his line-up constantly, and France were strong – but with the vocal crowd behind them, Spain slowly closed the gap. 

Late in the half, Spain changed their keeper to Daniel Lacambra, and he saved two shots off two faced in the final minutes before the break to help his side decrease the deficit to three goals. Helped by Lacambra’s performance, Spain equalised for the first time at 16:16 right on the 45th minute, then took their first lead with a goal from captain Ian Tarrafeta. 

Tarrafeta was, as usual, extremely important for Spain, tallying seven goals and providing expert guidance from centre back. Right wing Gonzalo Perez Arce was also very dangerous, with eight goals. When Spain coach Isidoro Martinez called a time-out in the 54th minute, the match was on the edge, 20:20, after Noah Gaudin’s seventh goal for France. 

Gaudin pulled France in front by one with just over one minute left on the clock, before a penalty was called at the other end of the court with 43 seconds remaining and the game was brought to level once more. But it was Gaudin who had the last say – with his ninth goal, the centre back took France in front by one with seconds remaining, and Spain had no time to answer. 

Player of the match: Noah Gaudin, France 

Photos: Juan Luis Recio/Spain 2019