France Triumphs Over Norway 38-34 in Euro Handball Group Stage Clash

In a tightly contested Euro 2026 handball group stage match held in Baerum, Norway, the French national team secured a commanding 38-34 victory against the host nation. This key win positions France with two points as they head into the main round in Denmark, gearing up to face the second-place team from Group B.

France, coached by Guillaume Gille, started the match strongly with an early 4-2 lead but briefly lost ground before reclaiming control. Despite Norway's superior shooting efficiency of 71% over France's 65%, the French defense and the goalkeeping of Charles Bolzinger played crucial roles in maintaining momentum. France entered halftime ahead 20-17.

In the second half, France consistently held a lead ranging from two to six goals. Norwegian star Sander Sagosen posed a continuous threat, but Hugo Descat's six-goal contribution – notable given his recent recovery from injury – was pivotal. Timely strategic adjustments, including a critical timeout called by coach Gille, sparked a decisive 3-0 run that cemented France's advantage.

Supporting scorers included Lenne and Nahi, each netting five goals. The victory builds on France's robust earlier performances, where they registered a +34 goal difference over matches against the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

With this win, France not only boosts their standing in the tournament but also demonstrates resilience and depth in their squad. The team now prepares to advance to the main round in Denmark with ambitions of progressing further in Euro 2026.