World Champs 2009 - France cruise into final

Eurosport - Sat, 31 Jan 11:08:00 2009

Olympic champions France and hosts Croatia booked their place in the men's world handball championship final after winning semi-finals against Denmark and Poland respectively.

HANDBALL 2009 World Champs 2009 France Denmark semi-finals Gille Christiansen - 0

In Split, France defeated Denmark 27-22, the reigning European champions who struggled from the start to cope with France's aggressive defence.

They kept in touch at 7-7 by the 16th minute, but that was the last time they were on level terms.

The French ended the first half with a 16-11 lead before two scores by Luc Abalo after the interval led the Beijing gold medallists to an 18-11 advantage.

Not even the loss in the final minutes of Abalo, who was penalised for hitting Denmark's goalkeeper Niklas Landen Jacobsen in the head from a penalty throw, was enough to stop the French from taking their place in the final.

In Zagreb, Croatia saw off Poland 29-23 with top player Ivan Cupic scoring 12 goals out of 13 attacks.

Croatian goalkeeper Mirko Alilovic was also impressive, defending 15 hits.

Poland were in touch at half-time, trailing just 14-13, but were unable to maintain their discipline in the second period.

AFP

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  1. We are in final... :D
    I hope we're going to beat­ France... It's gonna be very difficult but I­ believe in guys...
    Go, Croatia... :)

    From proud_croat_girl, on Sat 31 Jan 7:16PM

  2. you favor one nation while other nations you­ minimize,
    whats wrong with you media

    From kubeibut, on Sat 31 Jan 12:06PM

  3. Croatia is also a world and Olympic champion,
    whats­ wrong with you journalists, it is the same also in the­ French media
    greetings from the sunniest island in the­ world, island Hvar, Croatia

    From kubeibut, on Sat 31 Jan 11:53AM
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