World Handball 2023 – France vs Montenegro: players, TV, program
The French team, undefeated in the first round, starts the main round with 4 points. Thus, “Blues” will start this second round of World Handball 2023 in the 1/4 finals. Unlike Montenegro, a win could see Guillaume Gille’s men qualify for the quarter-finals. France/Montenegro presentation, 1st game of the second round of the 2023 handball world.
World Handball 2023: The French must do the job
Having won against Poland, Saudi Arabia and then Slovenia in the first round, the French team leads Krakow with maximum 4 points and joint lead with Spain. Above all, these 3 successes offer a joker that can be very useful in case of a misstep in this main round (remember the loss to Iceland during the Euros last year…).
This meeting with Montenegro will not be easy against an opponent who never maneuvers easily. Especially since the French team will still have to deal with the absence of Dika Mem. The “Barcelona” player, who is affected by the abdominal area, is taking his time to return to the competition, and his 3 wins in the first round allow him to not rush his return. Concerns about Nedim Remili, who face Slovenia, have gone down a notch. Indeed, the PSG player said it was just contractions and he felt fine. It remains to be seen whether the coach will decide to call him up in this match against the opponent he mastered a year ago in the Euros (36-27). A 4th win would almost certainly allow the team to secure a place in the quarter finals, and a loss would put the pressure on, knowing we’ll have to play Spain very soon…
The composition of the French team
Guardians : Charles Bolzinger (Montpellier HB) – Remi Desbonnet (Montpellier HB) – Vincent Gérard (Saint Raphaël Var HB)
Left wing players : Mathieu Grebille (Paris SG HB) – Dylan Nahi (PGE VIVE Kielce)
Left backs : Thibaud Briet (HBC Nantes) – Nikola Karabatic (Paris SG HB) – Romain Lagarde (Pauc) – Elohim Prandi (Paris SG HB)
Center halves : Kentin Mahé (Veszprèm) – Nedim Remili (PGE VIVE Kielce)
Pivots : Ludovic Fabregas (FC Barcelona) – Luka Karabatic (Paris SG HB) (cap) – Nicolas Tournat (PGE VIVE Kielce)
Right backs : Dika Mem (FC Barcelona) – Melvyn Richardson (FC Barcelona)
Right wing players : Yanis Lenne (Montpellier HB) – Valentin Porte (Montpellier HB).
Trainer : G. Gilles
Handball World Cup 2023: Montenegro has already won its competition
Montenegro achieved its goals by qualifying for the main round. After losing to Spain (25-30) in the beginning, Montenegrins won against Iran (34-31) and then Chile (35-33). Sluggish victories for Brano Bozovic’s men, but rediscovering the happiness of a world for the first time in 10 years, allowing this small Balkan country to find themselves in second place.
Montenegro relies on a proven attack (over 31 goals on average) behind Milos and Bronko Vujovic, who along with Stefan have been heavily involved in the Montenegrin selection. But if the attack is countered, the defense is more difficult with more than 31 goals, despite relatively weak opponents (except for Spain). Defeat would have ended their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals, but there is no doubt that Montenegro will be at their best and will try to impose their rhythm on the French team.
Composition of the Montenegrin team
Guardians : Neboysa Simic (MT Melsungen) – Nikola Matovic (Amo HK)
Left wing players : Aleksandar Bakic (RK Nexe) – Milos Vuyovic (Fuchse Berlin) –
Left backs : Milos Bozovic (USA IVRY Handball) – Vasko Sevaljevic (Redbergslids IK) – Radojica Cepic (HSG Wetzlar)
Center halves Bozidar Simic (RK Metaloplastika) – Bozo Andjelic (Motor Zaporozhye) – Stefan Vujovic (CS Minaur Baia Mare) – Vasilie Kaludjerovic (VfL Potsdam)
Pivots : Miodrag Korsovic (RK Trimo Trebnje) – Nemanja Grbovic (CSA Steaua Bucuresti) – Vuk Lazovic (Kuwait Sports Club)
Right backs : Branko Vujovic (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf) – Risto Vujovic (Hapoel Ashdod)
Right wing players : Marko Lasica (Redbergslids IK) – Mirko Radovic (HC Eurofarm Pelister)
Trainer : Brano Bozovic
Situation in Group I (Krakow, Poland)
- Spain 4 points (+18)
- France 4 points (+6)
- Slovenia 2 points (+5)
- Montenegro 2 points (-2)
- Poland 0 points (-11)
- Iran 0 points (-16)
France/Montenegro match will be broadcast live on BeIN Sports 1 channel from 18:00.
