French handball team faces Hungary in friendly match

The French handball team played a friendly match against Hungary in Győr, drawing 29-29. This match was the first of a double-header and took place a few weeks before the European Championship.

Injuries affect French lineup

French coach Sébastien Gardillou had to deal with two key absences: Lylou Borg was out with a foot fracture, and Manon Errard was excluded due to an ankle injury. This left the French team with only one right wing available.

Early lead for France

France started strong with an early goal from Léa Grandveau. However, Hungary quickly responded, with Petra Vámos scoring from the edge and Katrin Klujber equalizing at 4-4 in the 7th minute.

Hungary takes control

Hungary extended their lead to 8-7 in the 15th minute after a successful play by their pivot. France struggled with precision, and by the 17th minute, Hungary had a 10-7 advantage, prompting Gardillou to call his first timeout.

French adjustment and Hungary's response

The timeout helped France regain some control, and they caught up to 10-10 in the 19th minute. However, Hungary continued to dominate, maintaining a two-goal lead at halftime (15-13).

Second-half adjustments and near comebacks

In the second half, France made changes to their defense and had moments of success, including a goal from Lucie Granier. Hungary, however, maintained their lead and extended it to 19-16 in the 36th minute.

Tight finish and final draw

Despite several opportunities, France failed to capitalize on their numerical advantages. The match ended in a 29-29 draw, with both teams showing resilience. The two teams will meet again on Sunday in Strasbourg for the return match.