France's national handball team faced its most formidable challenge on Thursday night, narrowly losing to Croatia with a score of 28-31 in the semi-finals of the World Handball Championship 2025, held at the electrifying Arena Zagreb.
From the initial whistle, the match was marked by intensity and pressure. Right off the bat, Croatia established itself as the dominant force, utilizing both their renowned defensive skill and the passionate support of their home fans. The French squad, led by coach Guillaume Gille, found itself on the back foot and struggled to keep pace with the Croatian side.
The first half was particularly brutal for the French, who quickly fell behind, at one point facing a staggering nine-point deficit (8-17) within the first 30 minutes. Their attempts to mount any sort of offensive pressure were thwarted by Croatia's aggressive 1-5 defense, leaving the French players scrambling as mistakes piled up. They headed to halftime trailing significantly at 11-18.
Guillaume Gille expressed his disappointment post-match, stating, "A great disappointment to have shown two faces in this match. We struggled to find good solutions against their 1-5 defense." This sentiment echoed throughout the French locker room, with players acknowledging the challenge posed by their Croatian counterparts.
Despite the rocky start, the second half saw the French team exhibiting spirit and determination. They emerged from the break with renewed vigor, and slowly chipped away at the lead. Key players like Dika Mem, who netted eight goals throughout the match, showed resilience and moxie as the team sought to claw back from their substantial deficit.
Yet, the matchup turned dramatically when Aymeric Minne received a red card for what appeared to be unintentional foul play, choosing to elbow his opponent during a drive to the hoop. This moment proved pivotal - the French team not only lost momentum but also struggled to adjust to the dual numerical advantage exploited by Croatia.
Throughout the second half, the frenzy of the Croatian crowd loomed large. The vocal and fervent supporters rallied their team, pushing them toward the finish line. Croatian players like Marin Jelinic and Zvonimir Srna spearheaded the offensive charge, with Jelinic scoring tirelessly, showcasing his role as one of the pivotal players for Croatia.
Despite reducing Croatia's lead to just three goals with minutes to spare, France could not muster the scoring strength needed to overtake their opponents. Ludovic Fabregas noted the frustration, saying, "Bravo to the Croats. They were dominant. We were behind the score the whole match."
Even with moments of brilliance, such as saves from goalkeeper Charles Bolzinger and determined runs from French players, the team fell short of their objective. "It's been hard. We didn't meet the intensity and pace needed," reflected Nedim Remili, illustrating the fatigue and disappointment felt by the players.
With their dreams of reaching the final dashed, the French national team now sets their sight on the bronze medal match scheduled for Sunday, where they will face the winner of the other semi-final match between Denmark and Portugal. The stakes are high again, holding on to the hope of salvaging their tournament with at least third place. Dika Mem's final words encapsulated the team's spirit: "Despite everything, we fought hard until the last second."