The 'Hispanics' get stuck against France before the World Cup quarterfinals

Spain, already classified as the Gauls, will know this Monday if the match is against Norway or Germany

The Spanish men's handball team fell (26-28) to France this Sunday at the close of the 'Main Round' of the 2023 World Championship, a classic that came as a formality, with both already classified for the quarterfinals, and that Jordi Ribera's team let go with 10 key minutes of drought.

The 'Hispanics' conceded the first defeat of the tournament in Poland in a give and take with the Gauls that ended with the saves of Vincent Gerard. Spain got stuck in attack in the final stretch and gave up the leadership of Group 1, with which they will face the first of Group 3, Germany or Norway, who play against each other this Monday.

That exchange with which the game began at the TAURON Arena in Krakow was the symptom of a certain truce. Spain and France shared the first half, hit and answer that left 13-13 at halftime, with good news for Spain in the high-level rotation with Garciandia and with the demonstration once again that the goal has no starter: Rodrigo Corrales was excellent.

Ribera had to maintain the level of the five previous victories in the midst of managing efforts and he saw good signs, also with Dani Fernández, especially with the steals in defense to activate the 'Hispanic' mode in the quick transition and the goal. The Spanish team suffered more in attack, while the Frenchmen divided the success between Remili, Mem, Mahe, Briet and Tournat.

After the break, the duel opted for Ribera's side, at times, with Serdio and Daniel Fernández and a 21-17 score, but then it was time for the French response. The Olympic champion recovered with Mem and Remili to return the equalizer in a 24-24 in which Spain got stuck. Almost 10 minutes, the most important ones, without scoring against a grown Gerard, with which the 'Hispanics' met defeat.

Prandi increased the score for the Frenchmen just enough and the classic ended with a pique, due to Luka Karabatic's blow to Maqueda. Spain is already thinking about the seriousness of the World Cup: Germany or Norway for a place in the semifinals, the key to another medal.

DATASHEET.

--RESULT: SPAIN, 26 - FRANCE, 28.

--TEAMS.

SPAIN: Corrales (P), Perez de Vargas (P), Guardiola (1), A.Fernandez, Sole (1), Cañellas (3), A.Dujshebaev (2), D.Dujshebaev (1), Maqueda (2). ), Casado, Figueras, Pecina, Odriozola (1), Sanchez-Migallon (1), Serdio (4), Garciandia (3) and D.Fernandez (7).

FRANCE: Gerard (P), Bolzinger (P), Desbonnet (P), Mem (4), Nahi, Prandi (3), Mahe (4), Fàbregas (2), Luke Karabatic (2), Grebille (3), Richardson, Remili (4), Tournat (3), Nikola Karabatic, Lagarde, Briet (4), Door (1) and Lenne.

--PARTIALS EVERY FIVE MINUTES: 1-2, 4-4, 5-5, 6-9, 9-11, 13-13 --rest--, 16-14, 19-16, 21-19, 23- 24, 26-28.

--ÁRBITROS: Nachevski y Nikolov (MKD).

--PAVILLION: TAURON Kraków Arena.