France beat Germany to set a semi-final game with Croatia for a place in the final. The quarter-final was a thrilling game, decided in the shoot-out process where Le Bleus were less nervous and more efficient.

In the first set the Germans seemed to have the upper-hand leading 16:12 after seven minutes of play but several errors from their side and a few saves from the opposite goalkeeper help France tie the game with a 7:2 partial score. A single-point goal by Mas was enough to put France in the pole position.

In the second set, the game was much more balanced. Dubois made it 22:20 for Le Bleus in minute 19, Liebeck equalized, 22-22, and Zelser beat the clock to send the game to the shoot-out.

Desbonnet scored for the French and Rataboul stopped Geils on the Germans' first penalty. Both teams hit the target in the next three shots, meaning France was leading 8:6. Perchicot was defeated in the last French penalty by Zelser, but Bonnet was called for a clock violation in the last attempt, which sent the French into raptures.

FRANCE – GERMANY 2-1 (19:18, 22:23, 8:6)

France: Mas 7, Akakpo 1, Dubois 18, Perchicot, Desbonnet 6, Oulieu 2, Saidani, Rataboul, Deschamps 8, Petit

Germany: Wandtke, Duris, Liebeck 10, Alt 3, Zelser 15, Pichiri 10, Kilp 10, Ewald, Bonnet 2, Geils 2.

Referees: Dos Santos, Asis (Brazil) S: 2:3

   

Quotes:

Patrick Teyssier (France – Coach)

"We are very happy to qualify. In France, beach handball is a new sport, we only begin four years ago, and despite the setback due to the pandemic, this win means France is progressing and we are happy for that. We will remain humble and try for the best in the semi-final".

Marten Alexander Frank (Germany - Coach)

"It was a tough game. In the first period we were better for seven or eight minutes, but we made a lot of mistakes ever since. In the second set we were better, we created many chances and scored with four seconds to go. The shoot-out is a process that luck is in the mix."