France triumphantly edged out Egypt with a nail-biting 34-33 victory during the quarterfinals of the Handball World Cup 2025. Held on January 27, 2025, at the capital city of Zagreb, this thrilling encounter kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final seconds.
Both teams fought fiercely, showcasing their skills and determination at every turn. Egypt took the initial lead early in the match, with Seif Elderaa scoring the first goal just moments after the game began. Nonetheless, the French team quickly retaliated, tightening their defense and launching rapid counterattacks. Thibaud Briet and Nedim Remili sparked momentum for France, with Remili making key plays to keep the scoreboard moving.
Despite strong efforts, Egypt struggled to break through France’s formidable defense for much of the first half. Goalkeeper Mohamed Aly managed to make several impressive saves, helping to keep the game close. By the midway point of the first half, each team had found its rhythm, leading to several exchanges of goals. At halftime, France held onto a narrow lead of 18-14.
When the game resumed, it was clear both teams were unwilling to yield easily. Julien Bos of France started the second half strong, pushing the lead to five, but Egypt’s Yasser Abdelwahed responded with quick scores. The tension heightened as Egypt switched to more aggressive play strategies, evoking noticeable changes and pushing France to adapt.
Key moments unfolded throughout the second half, showcasing the athletes' resilience. With each goal from both sides, the hopes and dreams of advancing to the semifinals hung delicately. Finally, during the last minute of play, Egypt managed to pull level with France at 33-33, leaving the game thrillingly poised for the final moments.
It was absolute chaos leading to the game's close moments. After managing to score, Egyptian players found themselves with only seconds remaining. Their last attack, played without their goalkeeper, led to overwhelming drama as France’s Rémi Desbonnet swiftly launched the ball to Luka Karabatic after Egypt's equalizer. The audience held its collective breath as Karabatic beat the clock and scored with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
This remarkable finish sent fans of Les Bleus erupting with joy, perfectly encapsulating this match’s intensity. French newspaper L'Équipe labeled the outcome as “ein Wunder französischer Art,” celebrating the spectacle as one of the most thrilling moments of the tournament.
On the flip side, disappointment shadowed the Egyptian bench, where key player Seif Elderaa, who had been named player of the match, broke down shedding tears of disappointment after the heart-wrenching defeat. “Nur noch Nanosekunden auf der Uhr! Ägypten erleidet herzzerreißende Niederlage,” echoed the sentiments captured by Ahram Online, highlighting Egypt’s valiant yet heartbreaking exit.
With this incredible victory, France secured its spot in the semifinals, continuing their quest for glory at the Handball World Cup 2025. Their next opponent will challenge them, but the thrill and intensity displayed against Egypt will linger as one of the highlights of this prestigious tournament.