The reigning Olympic champions did not collapse under colossal pressure from the 11.000 fans that flocked to the Spodek Arena in Katowice, as France threw off the 28th IHF Men's World Championship in style, taking a 26:24 win against co-hosts Poland in the first match at Poland/Sweden 2023.
Group B
France vs Poland 26:24 (14:13)
For the first time, the IHF Men’s World Championship will be hosted by Poland, a team that has been through highs and lows over the last two decades in the competition. They delivered some of the best handball on display but fell on the pecking order after a slew of retirements from the players of the golden generation.
In 2007, Poland lost only one match before the final, where they conceded a 24:29 loss against hosts Germany. Two years later, Poland again made it to the semi-finals, securing the bronze medal.
Spain and Sweden booked their places in the semi-finals of the Men’s
European Handball Championship with dramatic single-point victories
over Poland and Norway respectively.
Norway ended Spain’s 17-game unbeaten streak at the men’s European
Handball Championships after triumphing 27-23 in their main round
match in Bratislava, Slovakia.