France win dramatic bronze medal match against Portugal to add to their collection

02 Feb. 2025

France win dramatic bronze medal match against Portugal to add to their collection

A last-gasp save from goalkeeper Charles Bolzinger delivered the bronze medal for France after a high-octane match against Portugal, 35:34, as France secured their 13th medal in history at the IHF Men’s World Championship.

BRONZE-MEDAL MATCH
France vs Portugal 35:34 (19:17)

After conceding their first loss of the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship, both France and Portugal headed to the bronze-medal match, with a place in history awaiting them. Was it going to be the 13th medal for France in the competition – a record – or the maiden medal for Portugal?

But after 30 minutes, there was no answer to this question. Everything was wide open, especially as France rested two key players in Nedim Remili and Dika Mem, who did not take the court in the first half for more than five minutes, but were still up two goals, 19:17, in a high-octane match, which provided a huge excitement before the big final between Croatia and Denmark.

A fantastic first half from Aymeric Minne, who scored seven goals and dished one assist kept France in front, but by the slightest of margins, as the reigning European champions could not build a lead higher than the three goals they had after 27 minutes, with Portugal matching them goal-by-goal until that moment.

The goalkeepers were rendered quite an accessory to the match, with both attacks firing from all cyclinders, with Portugal relying on Martim Costa, who had four goals, and Victor Iturriza, also with four goals, to stay in the match, as France found it difficult to open a gap.

But then, in the second half, Charles Bolzinger replaced Remi Desbonnet and made two saves in the first three shots he faced, keeping Portugal at bay until Paulo Pereira’s side bit back and tied the score, 19:19, balancing out the score, as Guillaume Gille inserted Nedim Remili in the centre back position.

Yet Portugal had their own wildcard in Gustavo Capdeville, also inserted in the line-up late in the first half, who by the 44th minute had nine saves and a 39% saving efficiency, including some fantastic one-on-one situations against wings Dylan Nahi and Benoit Kounkoud, as Portugal took a 26:24 lead, with Francisco Costa taking over, with six goals until that point.

And Bolzinger replied himself with three saves, to create a 3:0 run for France, which took a 27:26 lead, thanks to another pair of goals from Minne, who reached double digits. Did the back and forth stop? No, because Portugal did an amazing job to attempt another comeback, as with nine minutes left, the score was still tied, 28:28.

But just how much had Portugal in the tank? Pretty much, especially when Francisco Costa delivered an untimely performance. He was impossible to stop, finishing regular time with eight goals, as he kept Portugal close, 34:34, when there were only 30 seconds left on the clock.

And the final was dramatic. France delivered a great attacking play to force Portugal to condede a penalty, which Melvyn Richardson converted. Portugal had the last chance, used a seven-on-six attack, but Antonio Areia missed the reception, then recovered the ball, but could not beat Charles Bolzinger, shooting directly in the France goalkeeper.

With a 35:34 win, France secured the bronze medal, their 13th in history overall in the competition, while Portugal missed out on a medal in dramatic fashion, but can be proud of their overall performance, with Francisco Costa also making the All-Star team, as the Best Young Player Presented by LIDL.

hummel Player of the Match: Gustavo Capdeville (Portugal)