Main round reached nevertheless – strong Swiss miss sensation against France wafer-thin – sport

• Switzerland loses the last preliminary round match at the Handball World Cup in Egypt against France very narrowly with 24:25.
• Medhi Ben Romdhane missed the opportunity to win Swiss points in the final seconds under time pressure.
• Despite the defeat, the national team qualified for the main round.

Hold your breath one last time, then the big disappointment: After another parade by Nikola Portner, Switzerland actually has a chance of 25:25 a few seconds before the final siren. Because Andy Schmid is covered, Medhi Ben Romdhane receives the ball.  The  only 19-year-old back player comes to the conclusion, but the French goalkeeper Vincent Gerard records the victory of the six-time world champion.

A duel on equal terms

With a little distance, Schmid and Co. will be able to pat each other on the back despite their defeat. Because more advertising for Swiss handball is hardly possible.

 The  team of coach Michael Suter kept up with the French for the entire 60 minutes, a point win would not have been undeserved.

Legend:

Got everything out of himself

Andy Schmid.

Reuters

In the closing stages, the Swiss had the supposed advantage on their side, but first Nicolas Raemy and then Roman Sidorowicz failed with their final attempts in the majority due to strong Gerard.

Switzerland had already stood up to the French before. At break it was 14:14. Led by a once more strong Schmid (10 goals, Man of the Match) and an outstanding Portner in goal, the national team did not let go, even after a short bear market at the beginning of the second half.

 The  main round can come

Thanks to their 3rd win in the 3rd preliminary round, the French move into the main round with a white vest. Despite the second defeat, Switzerland also reached the next round in Egypt.

 The  Suter team finished the preliminary round group E behind France and Norway in 3rd place.

 The  World Cup tournament is over for Austria with no points.

 The  Austrians needed a win in their last group game against Norway to keep their chances of reaching the main round. However, the first Swiss group opponent had no chance against the northerners and lost with 29:38. Austria lost the duel against Switzerland last Thursday by 25:28.