Croatia are in the World Cup final for the first time since 2009. The Balkan nation booked their ticket for the final when they caught the French favourites cold in the beginning of the match and defeated Les Bleus in an incredible setting in Zagreb on Thursday night.
The win was secured on the back of a first half in which France couldn´t get their gameplan going and therefore trailed by seven at the break.
Guillaume Gilles´men never recovered, although they mounted a comeback in the second half, which was plagued by many stoppages and high ignition.
Back in 2009, France beat Croatia in the final of the Men´s World Cup in Arena Zagreb, with now France coach Guillaume Gille playing in their 24-19 final win.
But this time it was the home side who grapped the intiative from the start as Gille’s side could not get started in their usual gear, with nervy handling against a strong Croatian defence, as usual, backed by around 16,000 of the crowd supporting them.
The Croats, who otherwise have been haunted by injuries to key players in this tournament, opened up a 7-4 lead and France never came back.
At the break the home side had a comfortable lead 11-18 and despite France limiting the deficit to three goals in a frantic comeback they couldn´t catch the Croats.
As the clock ticked down with less than two minutes left, it was confirmed, Croatia had a 31-27 lead, and despite a last strike from France’s Mathieu Grebille, Marin Jelinic was already on his knees, head down, knowing he had secured a medal.
Both teams will be in action again on Sunday, when medals will be distributed. Denmark and Portugal will clash Friday night to earn a spot in the final against Croatia.
