France secured their place in the semifinals of the Men's Handball World Championship with a nail-biting 34-33 victory over Egypt, thanks to Luka Karabatic's dramatic last-second goal.
The quarterfinal match, held on January 28, 2025, at the Arena Zagreb, showcased intense competition and remarkable comebacks from both teams. The match was characterized by pivotal moments and shifted momentum, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
From the outset, France took control, establishing an early lead and finishing the first half with a four-goal advantage at 18-14. Dika Mem, France's right back, along with their goalkeeper, Remi Desbonnet, showed impressive performances, with Desbonnet making several significant saves throughout the match.
The first half was marred for Egypt by uncharacteristic errors, allowing France to exploit these mistakes effectively. Nonetheless, the Egyptian side demonstrated resilience, adjusting their tactics during halftime. Under coach Juan Carlos Pastor's direction, they changed their approach, utilizing extra players on offense to unsettle the French defense.
Egypt's pivot, Yasser Mohammed, and left back Ahmed Hesham Elsayed played key roles, helping the Pharaohs claw back from the deficit. The second half saw Egypt shift gears; they managed to tie the game at 32-32 with just one minute remaining, forcing the tension sky-high.
With momentum swinging Genairo's way, the teams remained deadlocked at 33-33 as the clock wound down to its final seconds. It was then, with just 0.3 seconds to spare, Karabatic launched his Hail Mary shot from half-court, sending the ball soaring toward the goal. The arena held its breath as the Macedonian referee, Nachevski Gjorgji, reviewed the play via VAR. After confirming the ball crossed the goal line before the final whistle blew, the French contingent erupted with joy, and the Egyptian players were left stunned.
Luka Karabatic, reflecting on the high-stakes encounter, remarked, “It was an incredibly tense and tough match from start to finish. It came down to a buzzer-beater, and thankfully for us, we’re still alive and heading to the semifinals. Congratulations to Egypt; they played an exceptional game, and it was decided by the smallest detail.”
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Egypt found solace knowing they secured their eighth top-eight finish out of 18 World Championship appearances. The Pharaohs had managed to mount a commendable comeback, but the last-second heartbreaker dashed their hopes of advancing.
With this victory, France advances to face Croatia in the semifinals, seeking to continue their quest for the championship title. This semi-final mark is particularly noteworthy as it marks the sixth consecutive appearance for France at the IHF World Championship semifinals.
The excitement surrounding the upcoming match against Croatia is palpable, especially after both teams showcased their resilience and fighting spirit throughout the tournament. Fans eagerly await another thrilling contest as the tournament progresses, with France aiming to add yet another title to their impressive collection.
With their eyes set on the championship, France needs to keep their momentum going, and the entire nation will likely rally behind them as they shoot for glory once again.