[ad_1]
- Switzerland loses the last match of the preliminary round at the Handball World Cup in Egypt against France with an ultra-close 24:25.
- Medhi Ben Romdhane missed his chance to win Swiss points in the closing 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 Nikola Portner show, Switzerland has a 25:25 chance a few seconds before the final siren. Because Andy Schmid is covered, Medhi Ben Romdhane receives the ball. The only 19-year-old defender comes to the conclusion, but French goalkeeper Vincent Gerard records the victory of the six-time world champion.
A duel on equal terms
With a little distance, Schmid and company will be able to pat each other on the back despite their loss. Because more publicity for Swiss handball is almost impossible. Coach Michael Suter’s team kept pace with the French for the full 60 minutes, a points victory would not have been undeserved.
Legend:
He took everything out of himself
Andy Schmid.
Reuters
In the final stages, the Swiss had the supposed advantage on his side, but first Nicolas Raemy and then Roman Sidorowicz failed with their last attempts in the majority due to strong Gerard.
Switzerland had already faced the French before. At halftime it was 2:14 pm. Led by a once-strong Schmid (10 goals, Man of the Match) and an outstanding Portner in goal, the selection did not let go, even after a short bear market early in the second half.
The main round may come
Thanks to their third victory in the third preliminary round, the French advance to the main round wearing a white vest. Despite the second defeat, Switzerland also reached the next round in Egypt. Suter’s team finished the preliminary round of Group E behind France and Norway in third place, only the consolation round for Austria left with no points.
The Austrians would have needed a win in their final preliminary round match against Norway to preserve their chances of reaching the main round. However, the first rival of the Swiss group had no chance against the Northerners and lost with 29:38. Austria lost the match against Switzerland last Thursday by 25:28.
