The Icelandic men’s national handball team is out of competition at the World Men’s Handball Championship in France, RÚV reports. Their game against Macedonia on Thursday ended in a draw 27-27. Iceland lead at half time, 15-13, but failed to keep that lead. The draw meant they’re first game among the final 16 teams would be against France, the reigning world champions.
The game against France on Saturday began well. Iceland was leading 6-4 10 minutes into the game. At the 20th minute, France took the lead, 8-9. At half time, the score was 14-13 for France.
During the second half, the French team fought full force and scored seven goals during the first 10 minutes. The final score was 31-25 for France. Rúnar Kárason scored the most goals among the Icelanders, or seven, While Michael Guigou scored the most for France, or six goals.
The game against France took place a the Stade Pierre Mauroy football field in Lille. An attendance record at a handball world championship was set during the game, but the stadium takes more than 27,000 spectators when it’s converted into a handball field, and just about every seat was taken. You can see here how the field is converted for handball.
Surprisingly, the Danish team, the Olympic champions, coached by Icelander Guðmundur Guðmundsson, and the German team, the European champions, coached by Icelander Dagur Sigurðsson, are out of the competition as well, RÚV reports.
The only Icelandic coach still standing in the championship is Kristján Andrésson, who coaches the Swedish team.
