On January 28, 2025, the French national handball team demonstrated their resilience and skill by narrowly defeating Egypt 34-33 during the quarterfinals of the Handball World Championship held at the Arena Zagreb, Croatia. The dramatic conclusion, characterized by Luka Karabatic's last-second goal, has propelled the team to face the host nation, Croatia, in the semifinals.
The match began with both teams testing each other's defenses, but it was France, led by the tactical prowess of coach Guillaume Gille, who gradually found their rhythm. The French players secured a lead, reaching the halftime mark with an 18-14 advantage. Their offensive display was initially strong, thanks to key players like Thibaut Briet and Rémi Desbonnet, who made impactful contributions.
Yet, the second half posed unexpected challenges for the French team as the Egyptians, revitalized by their tactical shift to playing with seven attackers, started to close the gap. They exploited weaknesses within the French defense and clawed their way back to level the score. Ahmed Hesham, with his remarkable shooting skills, was particularly lethal, finishing with eight goals and causing problems for the French defense with his quick plays.
Despite leading by as many as five goals after the break, France found themselves needing to rally as fatigue and strategic misfires led to turnovers and missed opportunities. The clash heightened tension, with the Egyptians using their numerical advantage effectively, leading to several equalizations.
At the climax of the match, the stakes couldn't have been higher. With just seconds remaining, Egypt scored to level the game at 33-33. Yet, from the ensuing quick restart, Luka Karabatic demonstrated his extensive experience, converting a long-range shot from the center circle with mere tenths of seconds remaining. After video review confirmed the goal, the French team erupted in celebration, having dodged the peril of overtime.
After the match, Karabatic commented on the pressure of high-level sport, stating, "It's the sport of very high levels, it often plays on small details. There are always plenty of surprises. The match was very tense, and we are still alive, preparing for the incredible game against Croatia." His sentiment echoed sentiments from teammates, underlining the mental stamina required to secure victory.
Guillaume Gille reflected on the match by stating, "Like often in these quarterfinals, we encounter totally crazy scenarios. We felt we dominated the match but could not hold onto our lead against the Egyptians' strong second half. We got out of the situation through the magic of handball with this quick engagement successful at the end."
The Egyptian team, led by coach Juan Carlos Pastor, was understandably disheartened, having fought valiantly but falling just short of pulling off what would have been a monumental upset. Seif El Deraa, visibly emotional at the match's conclusion, lamented the missed opportunity but also praised the team’s effort, saying, "Everyone fought hard; it’s enormous. We were dominant at times but couldn't finish strong... It was difficult but proud of our fight. Our team didn’t give up."
Looking forward, France's semifinals clash against the Croatian team promises to be another thrilling encounter. Croatian players reached this stage after their own intense quarterfinal against Hungary, winning 31-30 with last-minute heroics. The upcoming match is expected to draw significant attention, as the atmosphere at the Arena Zagreb is likely to be electric.
The matchup will not only be significant for both teams but historic, as the winner will gain entry to the championship finals. For France, battling injury issues and past disappointments from their Olympic Games exit, this high-stakes encounter presents both challenges and opportunities. The camaraderie and spirit shown during their latest victory will be fundamental as they face one of the tournament's biggest tests yet against their home-hosting adversaries.
With mixed emotions, reflections on past performances, and the thrill of upcoming challenges, the handball world now waits in anticipation for another epic showdown between France and Croatia this Thursday. Touted as one of the biggest matches of the tournament, it will feature two competitive nations driven to lift the trophy.