France's pursuit of yet another World Handball Championship title came to a disappointing halt on January 30, 2025, as they fell to Croatia 31-28 in the semifinals held at the Arena Zagreb. The defeat, marked by the French team's early struggles, left them scrambling to redeem themselves with a bronze medal match on the horizon.
The stakes were high as the French team, champions of Europe and six-time World Cup holders, faced off against the host nation, Croatia. Both teams entered the match with high hopes, riding respective waves of momentum after heart-stopping victories: France edging past Egypt with a last-second goal, and Croatia overcoming Hungary with their own thrilling finish. Yet, for the French, the reality of the match soon proved to be dramatically different from their aspirations.
The crowd of 15,600 fans erupted as the game commenced, with Croatia quickly establishing their dominance on the court. Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Kuzmanovic opened with several impressive saves, stifling the French offense from the get-go. The first half saw the French team falter heavily, finding themselves down 18-9 at one point, struggling against Croatia's aggressive playing style and solid defense.
During the first half, France registered only four saves, coupled with nine turnovers, which reflected their struggles to maintain possession and convert opportunities. "Bravo aux Croates, ils ont été dominateurs tout au long du match et notamment en première période. On a pris trop de retard au début et on doit courir derrière le score tout le reste," stated French captain Ludovic Fabregas, acknowledging Croatia's evident superiority.
Heading to the locker room at halftime with the score at 18-11, the French team had to regroup. Coach Guillaume Gille expressed his disappointment, saying, "Il y a une énorme déception. On visait le titre, maintenant il faut repartir, se reconstruire pour aller chercher une médaille de bronze." This urgency underlined the need for immediate improvement as they faced the prospect of elimination from the gold medal match.
Emerging from the break, France showcased determined play, initially reducing the deficit to just four goals. A series of quick strikes reinvigorated the team's hope, but any momentum was fragile and soon disrupted. An accidental elbow from Aymeric Minne resulted in a red card, sending the French team to play down another man. This foul exemplified the mounting frustrations, as they struggled to cope with the intensity of the match.
The second half saw France staging various mini-comebacks, with players like Dika Mem and Melvyn Richardson making significant contributions. Yet, as the minutes ticked away, Croatia’s composure under pressure paid off. Even with moments of brilliance from the French side, it appeared too little, too late, as they were unable to bridge the gap. Croatia’s Filip Glavas delivered consistently, showcasing exceptional skill throughout the encounter.
With less than two minutes remaining, the scoreboard read 28-31, and France's hopes to turn the tide began to dissipate. Despite futile efforts to claw back, including occasional bursts of energy from the likes of Fabregas, the clock simply ran out on their chances. The match concluded at 31-28, sealing France's fate and denying them the opportunity to vie for their seventh world title.
Nedim Remili voiced the team’s sentiment post-match, stating, "C'est dur de perdre comme ça. Un goût un peu amer de la 1ère mi-temps, on n'a pas tenu la cadence et l'intensité. On s'est battus comme des chiens, on va continuer à nous battre jusqu'à la fin." His words reflected the determination and heartache felt by his teammates after such a heartbreaking defeat.
After this tough loss, France will shift their focus to the match for third place against either Denmark or Portugal. The upcoming game presents the athletes with another chance to demonstrate their resilience and fight for pride and redemption on the international stage. Coach Gille emphasized the need to rebuild following the disappointment, echoing the sentiments of striving for honor even after falling short of the ultimate goal.
All eyes will be on the French team as they prepare to face their next challenge. The fans hold hope for their athletes, advocating for strength and resolve as they seek to return home with at least some form of silverware. Their performance against Croatia, albeit disappointing, reflects the challenges and unpredictabilities of high-stakes sports—realities they will aim to conquer with renewed spirit and grit.