Handball · International
Gille leads France to a 24–21 opening win over Norway at EURO 2000
France began the Men’s EHF EURO 2000 with a 24–21 victory over Norway in Zagreb on 21 January. A 14–12 half-time lead gave the French team an advantage it extended by one goal after the interval. The opening Group A fixture therefore put two points on France’s account while Norway started the championship without a point.
2000-01-21 · Zagreb
Event date:
The story
France began the Men’s EHF EURO 2000 with a 24–21 victory over Norway in Zagreb on 21 January. A 14–12 half-time lead gave the French team an advantage it extended by one goal after the interval. The opening Group A fixture therefore put two points on France’s account while Norway started the championship without a point.
How it unfolded
Bertrand Gille scored six goals for France, with Patrick Cazal and Andrej Golic adding five apiece. Their combined 16 goals supplied two-thirds of the winning total. Christian Berge matched Gille with six for Norway, and Jan Thomas Lauritzen contributed five. Both sides converted three seven-metre throws, France from five attempts and Norway from six.
The wider picture
The result set up contrasting starts to a demanding three-day opening sequence. France next faced Ukraine and Germany, winning both fixtures, while Norway met Spain and host Croatia. France ultimately completed the five-match preliminary programme unbeaten with four victories and a draw; Norway finished fourth in the group with three points.
Period by period
| Half / final | France | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| First half | 14 | 12 |
| Second half | 10 | 9 |
| Final | 24 | 21 |
Sources
Check the original record.
Open the governing body or organiser’s publication for the underlying result, decision or tournament update.