The Blues go through to the semi-finals. This Wednesday evening, in Gdansk, Poland, the France team came up against a great Andreas Wolff during the first period but still won against Germany (35-28). Rémi Desbonnet, huge in the second act with 14 saves, was one of the architects of this great success. Guillaume Gille’s players will face Sweden for the semi-finals on Friday in Stockholm, Sweden.
Recent history has shown that a France-Germany (or Germany-France) is a close encounter. During the last three confrontations, the Blues and the Germans have won each time by a very small goal. This quarter-final in Gdansk confirmed it. Quickly, the Mannschaft took the lead and gradually widened the gap to lead by four goals after a quarter of an hour of play (7-11, 16th). Andreas Wolff, 11 saves in the first act, was huge in his goals.
Nevertheless, the German goalkeeper did not enter the minds of the Blues since the latter, after a timeout from Guillaume Gille (16th), proved to be more solid defensively and took care of their shots in attack. Melvyn Richardson, who scored two consecutive 7-meter throws, Dika Mem and Nedim Remili then sounded the revolt (11-11, 19th). A mano to mano ensued and the two teams returned to the locker room back to back (16-16).
Desbonnet, more than a replacement
Returning from the break, Rémi Desbonnet, who replaced a feverish Vincent Gérard (0/11) after the first quarter of an hour of the game, returned transformed. If the Germans left on the same basis as in the first act and again took the advantage in scoring, the Montpellier player chained the parades, including two pastis, and allowed his people not to be left behind in the score (20 -20, 40th).
Remi Desbonnet, hero of the quarter-final against Germany
Credit: Getty Images
Rémi Desbonnet completely destabilized Patrick Groetzki (2/6) but especially Juri Knorr (5/10), yet highly anticipated and feared before this quarter-final. The 30-year-old goalkeeper chained the stops (14/30, 47%) and was finally elected MVP at the end of the meeting. Meanwhile, the Blues continued to score and completely headed the Germans, who dropped the game in the last quarter of an hour, underwater. The France team ended up largely winning (35-28).
Semi-final against Sweden
“Place for the final battle“, launched Guillaume Gille at the end of the match at the microphone of beIN Sports. For the fifth consecutive time, the reigning Olympic champions will play the semi-finals of a World Championship. In the last four, the Tricolores will face the Sweden, which won 26-22 against Egypt on Wednesday evening, while Spain will face Denmark. The fight is likely to be raised against Scandinavians, pushed by their supporters, in the Tele2 Arena from Stockholm.
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