Despite all the talk about mathematics and calculators before this final Egypt 2021 main round Group III game, and whether Norway would be watching or not, Guillaume Gille’s France side turned on the style, scoring 16 times in each half to seal their way through to the last eight where they will face either Hungary or Spain.

The result also put Norway through and knocked out Portugal from contention as France now look like real medal contender just one of three teams to have won all their games at Egypt 2021, alongside Hungary and Denmark.

MAIN ROUND GROUP III
Portugal vs France 23:32 (12:16)

Portugal coach Paulo Pereira named an unchanged 16-man squad for this clash, which came after their 33:29 victory over Switzerland on Friday (22 January), while Gille could finally welcome back Timothey N'Guessan who returned after being out with a groin strain since their opening day win against Norway.

In the sixth minute Portugal had been leading, but a quick double from N’Guessan’s FC Barcelona teammate Dika Mem put the French ahead 4:3. It was the same difference by the 24th minute (13:12), after Portugal’s Miguel Martins struck from distance, but his side would not score again in the first period as they slipped further behind, going four down at the break (12:16).

The second half saw France extend their lead, which went to double-figures (27:17) for the first time in the 51st minute to put the result beyond any doubt.

“Today we weren’t expecting that result with so many goals difference,” said Pereira after the match. “We need to have huge respect for France not only for handball, but for sport in general in the country. We didn’t play that bad, but we could not execute our goals.

“We want to thank all the support [we’ve had] and from now on we want to be more constant. Congratulations to France and Norway.”

“We came prepared to fight but unfortunately we couldn’t play,” said Portugal’s Fabio Magalhaes. “We lacked some maturity being present in this kind of competition and we want to be prepare for the future. France are an excellent team with a lot of maturity and one of the teams which could make the finals.”

Pereira saw the warning signs early on, taking his first timeout just shy of the ninth minute following a 3:0 France run which saw his side down 3:6. Despite Alfredo Quintana in the Portugal goal making a number of key saves (10 in total), Portugal could not get back and were punished for every failed attack as the French team moved further clear.

Gille took his own pause just before the end (29th minute) and with clear precision, his side emerged to carefully execute a training court combination with Romain Lagarde relishing the chance to take his shot and score (16:12).

As soon as the second half got going, Luka Karabatic found himself on the end of a second two-minute suspension and the game was potentially poised for a Portugal (14:17) comeback.

But France were ruthless, and the sheer joy, happiness and full emotion shown by Hugo Descat after he converted a penalty in the 39th minute showed you all needed to know where the game was going.

Descat again was front and centre at another French highlight when he pounced like a venus fly trap  to grab the rebound from an open goal shot from Nedim Remili which had hit the post (22:16, 42nd minute). This was the final realisation that any hope of a Portugal qualification had gone as their players turned away, heads down, dejected.

“We are very glad about this game, one with a lot of meaning,” said Gille. “It is always difficult to play against Portugal, but we succeeded today in playing a great match and to secure our qualification to the quarter-final. That’s why I’m very happy. I’m happy with the performances of players, but it’s not the end, it’s only beginning, and we have to be ready for the quarter-final fight in three days.”

Both teams are set to continue their recent set of clashes following their EHF Men’s EURO 2020 preliminary group meeting, won by Portugal, and today, when they face off against each other in France at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification Tournament in March.

hummel Player of the Match: Andre Gomes, Portugal