The Dubai International Handball Junior Championship saw a new team crowned winners as France’s Vac&Sport vanquished two-time title holders HEI/VRI of Denmark.
Capitalising on their physical advantage and receiving a monstrous effort from goalkeeper Bounas Guillaume, Vac&Sport staved off the technical precision of HEI/VRI to earn a 24-21 victory at Al Manara Sports Hall.
Guillaume set the tone from the start by providing his team a comfortable cushion, blocking shot after shot in the opening 10 minutes as Vac&Sport jumped to a 6-1 lead they would never relinquish.
“The Danish were in doubt whether they were going to make goals,” Vac&Sport coach Arnaud Chasset said. “They played very well in attack, but it failed because it was very key that our goalkeeper had many blocks at the start.”
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HEI/VRI coach Martin Hjortshoj was concerned with France’s physicality heading into the final and his worries came to fruition as his team were often worn out after working through Vac&Sport’s defence.
“We were using a lot of energy to get the chance because we had to use all our strength to conquer their physicality,” Hjortshoj said. “In some situations, we didn’t have the energy to score.”
On the attack, Vac&Sport were boosted by the return of captain Oualid Julien, who was injured for the team’s semi-final meeting.
Julien scored four goals, forming a finishing tandem with top-scorer Braciotti Gabin, who netted eight.
Vac&Sport utilised their depth, which Chasset felt made the difference: “It is really important bec-ause we have to manage the fatigue of the players. In tournaments, it’s important to arrive to the finals less tired than your opponents.”
Despite taking on a relatively young team in HEI/VRI, comprising mostly 15-year-olds, Chasset and his players respected the two-time defending champions.
Chasset said: “I told my players ‘if we play 100 per cent, we will lose, but if we play 120 per cent, we will win’.”
