Unlike Denmark and Sweden who, on Tuesday, ended their main round with a defeat, the French team wanted to maintain its winning momentum in this Euro until the end with a view to Friday’s semi-finals. . Thus, even without Nikola Karabatic, left in the stands to breathe before challenging the Swedes in two days, the Blues made short work of Hungary (35-32), who never seemed to believe in their chances when it could still aspire to overtake Germany in the ranking.
Unsurprisingly, the few modifications made by Guillaume Gille, and this lack of challenge, were felt at the start of the match for the Blues. This benefited the Hungarians, led by the power of Gabor Ancsin’s arm, to take the lead on the scoreboard (1-4, 4th). But despite this interesting start, Hungary showed astonishing indolence on the defensive level, neither retreating nor making any commitments. So many inadequacies which could only be punished at one point by a French team which only had to speed up the game to inflict a 6-1 on the Magyars and fly onto the scoreboard (15- 10, 17th). Carried by the Nedim Remili-Dika Mem tandem with more than perfect shooting until the break (10 out of 10 between them), the Blues played their handball.
Until four minutes before the break, when they decided to relax their grip, letting Hungary get back into the match as they returned to the locker room (20-18). The second act took place at a strange pace. Straddling the two periods, the Blues remained almost ten minutes without scoring. This allowed the Hungarians to equalize (20-20, 35th), but little more. And when the Tokyo Olympic champions decided to accelerate again, the Magyar team instantly got back on the ropes (27-24, 48th). Without ever giving the impression of being ready to lead the revolt. So much so that the last ten minutes passed without passion, France securing its victory thanks to two goals from Nicolas Tournat (35-32). See you now on Friday at 5:45 p.m. for a classic in the semi-finals of a major competition: France-Sweden.