The favorite came with the barricade in Rotterdam! Excruciating half at the Handball World Cup: only 5 goals scored
Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Adrian Jitea – Published on Thursday, 04 December 2025, 21:11 / Updated on Thursday, 04 December 2025 21:11
France comfortably defeated Austria, 29-17, in the first match played by the reigning world champions in the Rotterdam hall.
- Reporter Adrian Jitea and photojournalist Ionuț Iordache are in Rotterdam with the Romanian national team and will transmit all the information and images that matter
- In the first match of the day in Rotterdam Ahoy, Poland defeated Argentina, score 28-25.
France played the first 3 matches of the current edition in 's-Hertogenbosch. The 2023 world champion needed a period of adaptation to the new conditions in Rotterdam Ahoy, a floor that the Romanian handball players said was atypical, another ventilation system, a new sound system.
One half was enough for the world champions
Austria, camped here from day one, got off to a great start. Fans had even begun to hope for a surprise of global proportions. From 6-2, the game took a natural turn.
The French women, impressive with their physical qualities, slender, with a lot of extra speed, returned to the break, advantage 14-12. The goalkeeper also had a major role Floriane Andre, 9 interventions and a percentage of 43%.
In the second half, Hatadou Sako entered between the goals. Gyor's goalkeeper didn't have much to do. The front wall stopped the attack attempts from the early stages.
France had 8 handball players (Toublanc, Mairot, Sajka, Foppa, Granier, Ondono, Bouktit, Grandveau) with 3 goals each, a detail that shows the balance in the group.
Another unique detail. In a room where most of the supporters were local fans, waiting for the Netherlands – Tunisia duel, every indication of the goalkeeper could be heard perfectly Jacket. Loud screams, impossible to ignore. She was also voted the best player of the match.
Images from the match France – Austria 29-17 PHOTO: Ionuţ Iordache (GSP)
Austria struggled, forced long-range shots, but scored only 5 times after the break. Final, 29-17!
France continue their perfect run in the tournament and are provisional leaders in main group III. More than likely it will go further. The second qualified will be decided on Saturday evening, from 21:30, in the duel between Holland and Poland, with the big favorite hosts.
