France reclaim EHF EURO title after 70-minute battle

It is France’s fourth win against Denmark in a total of six title matches between the sides, and the second win versus the Scandinavian side in two EHF EURO finals.

The victory means France now hold the Olympic and European titles simultaneously, at least until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games take place later in the year.

FINAL

France vs Denmark 33:31 (27:27)(14:14) 

• the outcome of the final came down to extra time, with Dika Mem netting two goals that opened a two-goal gap for France and Samir Bellahcene making a save in between that prevented Denmark from levelling at the critical moment and created the chance for the win
• driven by their defence and an outstanding Emil Nielsen in goal, with eight saves at 57.1 per cent in the first 20 minutes and a total of 15 leading to his Grundfos Player of the Match award, Denmark opened a three-goal lead in the first half before France fought back to level
• All-star Team right back for the second straight EHF EURO, Mathias Gidsel, scored Denmark’s first two goals and netted eight in the final to climb the competition’s top scorer ranking and join Portugal’s Martim Costa in first with 54 overall
• Denmark took the upper hand again in the second half, leading by two goals latest at the 50-minute mark, but France could not be cast off and regular time ended level with the last goal from All-star Team line player Ludovic Fabregas
• Mikkel Hansen became the all-time top scorer of the Men’s EHF EURO during the final, with his nine-goal outing taking him past both Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson and Nikola Karabatic to reach a total of 296 in his career

First EHF EURO title in 10 years

The Men’s EHF EURO 2024 title is France’s first in the competition since 2014 and takes them to four trophies overall where they sit just one behind record winners Sweden. France’s last trophy came following a victory over none other than Denmark in the final, after their first EHF EURO titles in 2010 and 2006.

Across all competitions, it is France’s 13th title. The side already held the record for most titles at the World Championship as well as collectively across the World Championship, EHF EURO and Olympic Games, so this is merely an extension of an already phenomenal history.

And one player has been part of 11 of those titles: Nikola Karabatic, who became the only male handball player in history to win 10 national team trophies at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and now stands alone at the top of the ranking including women’s players as well, as Katrine Lunde has 10. He also joins the exclusive group of players to have won four EHF EURO titles, alongside Swedes Ola Lindgren, Staffan Olsson, Stefan Lövgren, Magnus Wislander, and Martin Frandesjö.

Photos © Kolektiff Images