France snap Austria’s streak to clinch semi-finals berth

GROUP I

France vs Austria 33:28 (15:16)

• France sealed their eighth semi-finals berth in history and their third in the last four editions at the EHF EURO, with an unbeaten start in this edition, sealing five wins and drawing the other match
• France’s win was their 70th in history at the EHF EURO, with Guillaume Gille’s side becoming only the second in history to reach that milestone, after Spain
• the reigning Olympic champions also became the first team at the EHF EURO 2024 to score 200 goals, boasting a 204-goal tally, eight more than Denmark and nine more than Sweden
• while Nikola Karabatic improved his overall tally at the EHF EURO to 295 goals, right back Dika Mem scored seven goals and broke through the 100-goal milestone in the competition
• Austria’s longest-ever unbeaten streak in the EHF EURO, five matches in a row, has been snapped by France and they need outside help to secure a place in the semi-finals
• France are first in the group standings, with eight points, and can be leapfrogged only by Hungary if they record two wins in their last two matches

Austria’s tired legs fail to stop France

With four players in the top four places in the standings for the largest number of minutes played at the EHF EURO after five matches, Austria were in a tough spot. They needed a win to extend their chances for a semi-finals berth, but had key players like Nikola Bilyk, Lukas Hutecek and Sebastian Frimmel in dire need of a rest.

Coach Ales Pajovic rotated his squad, but the level was kept roughly the same, as Austria started the match better and even led at half-time, with a 4:0 unanswered run helping Pajovic’s side fuel their hopes in their bid to shock another powerhouse, after winning against Hungary and drawing against Croatia, Spain and Germany.

Yet France had more experience and more depth, which proved to be decisive. Line player Ludovic Fabregas, the Player of the Match, sponsored by Grundfos, and right back Dika Mem combined for 14 goals to lift France to the semi-finals. They will join Denmark and Sweden in the final weekend in the LANXESS arena in Cologne.

Photos © Kolektiff Images