France, already qualified, wins without forcing against Hungary

In a match without stakes since they are guaranteed to finish first in their group of the main round and to see the semi-finals, the Blues played without pressure and disposed of Hungary on Wednesday (35-32).

The Blues could have eased off, but they honored their status and the French team jersey, Wednesday January 24, against Hungary (35-32). Unlike Sweden (33-23 defeat against Norway) and Denmark (28-25 defeat against Slovenia), also qualified for the last four but who did not strain for their last match of the main round on Tuesday, the Tricolores wanted to maintain good momentum before their semi-final against Sweden on Friday (5:45 p.m.). Diligently, they achieved it and remain undefeated in this Euro.

To save money is a verb that does not fit into the Blues’ dictionary. To face the Hungarians, in a match without stakes, Guillaume Gille only operated a lesser rotation, with Nikola Karabatic and Samir Bellahcene left to rest in the stands, but a starting line-up quite similar to previous matches, with Luka Karabatic , Ludovic Fabregas, Hugo Descat and Yannis Lenne.

The French team, however, started the game badly, as often since the start of the Euro, and because of its inaccuracy in shooting, Hungary took a three-goal lead in less than three minutes (4-1) . But the Hungarians, who still had a tiny hope of qualifying in the event of Germany’s defeat against Croatia, then gave in to the French offensives which became sharper, and played almost with their heads down until the end of the match. First period.

More than ten minutes without a goal for the Blues

But while the Blues had taken up to six goals in advance (20-14 in the 25th minute), thanks in particular to rapid and very effective ball runs, and a flawless performance from Nedim Remili (6/6 at the break) and Dika Mem (4/4 at the break), the French machine seized up. Guillaume Gille’s men did not score for ten minutes over the two periods.

With Hungary back in contact, Guillaume Gille still carried out the expected rotation to give his managers a break, and players less used since the start of the competition, such as Dylan Nahi, Valentin Porte, Kentin Mahé, Timothey N’Guessan, Nicolas Tournat and Charles Bolzinger had playing time.

The French team, which had announced that it did not want to let go of this match, is therefore full of confidence with this victory, just like its wingers, Hugo Descat and Yannis Lenne, who have been less successful since the competition and who have found their way back more easily. path to the nets on Wednesday. The Blues will face Sweden in the semi-finals on Friday, hoping however that their managers will have recovered and will not pay for the efforts made against Hungary.