France continued the dream run through their home tournament with a strong win against Slovenia in the first 25th IHF Men’s World Championship Semi-final. The home team therefore qualify for their seventh World Championship Final, and have every opportunity to claim the title for a second consecutive time after they beat Qatar to raise the trophy in 2015.

On Saturday, Slovenia will meet the losing team of the second semi-final, and hope to win their first IHF World Championship medal.

Semi-final: France vs Slovenia 31:25 (15:12)

France and Slovenia entered the packed AccorHotels Arena to thunderous cheers, which resounded through the stadium as Ludovic Fabregas scored the opening goal and Vincent Gerard made the first save of the match. After five minutes the hosts were narrowly in front at 2:1, and France used the strong support from the crowd to pull ahead to 4:1 before Slovenia found the goal again.

France received two two-minutes suspensions within 25 seconds of each other – one for Fabregas then another for Adrien Dipanda, and Jure Dolonec did not waste the penalty awarded, adding Slovenia’s second goal in the ninth.

Despite the numerical deficit, France kept a three-goal lead while Slovenia had difficulty against the taller 6-0 defence they faced. Fast breaks from Gasper Marguc and Darko Cingesar closed the gap to 5:6 in the 14th minute, as tension ran high in what was a physical game from both teams. Midway through the half Timothy N’Guessan reclaimed the two-goal advantage for France, after which Slovenia pushed up to a 5-1 defensive system with Cingesar in front.

The new system did not help however, as France moved ahead to a three-goal difference at 9:6 before Slovenia coach Veselin Vujovic called the first time-out of the game. Both teams played excellent defence that forced speed and the most creative attacking play from the other side, but France were better and kept the edge with a three-goal advantage at half-time.  

France maintained a steady three to four-goal lead through the opening 15 minutes of the second half while Slovenia kept pace, and when Gerard made a spectacular save on a breakthrough in the 40th France kept the advantage at 21:17.

Luc Abalo took the home team five in front with his second goal, and Nedim Remili pulled France to 25:19 just as the last quarter of the match began. Slovenia coach Vujovic responded with an immediate time-out, but the match was decided with Remili’s goal.

As the clock entered the final eight minutes, France were clear with a six-goal advantage at 27:21, and the 15,609 spectators in the arena began to relax and enjoy their teams’ victorious performance. Slovenia fought to the final whistle but France were simply unstoppable, racing to the final whistle to record their eighth win from as many matches at the Championship.

Best Player of the Match presented by adidas: Vincent GERARD (FRA)