Abati's boyish enthusiasm
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ByEurosport
Published 18/01/2007 at 12:43 GMT
France completed their World Championship preparations in ominous style with a 29-21 demolition of Norway in Paris. The tournament second favourites raced into a 23-12 lead behind a balanced attacking display that saw goals from 11 players.
HANDBALL 2007 World Champs France Joel Abati
Image credit: Imago
Veteran Joel Abati hit the net six times, including four penalties, and afterwards the 36-year-old reacted angrily when asked: "How is the old man doing?"
"I'm not old," he raged. "I'm 26 (sic) years old. Above all I want the French team to have a great World Championship in Germany.
"So don't talk any more about my age, retirement, or anything else like that. Concentrate on the French team, its humility and desires."
France have been drawn in Group B, and kick off their campaign against Ukraine on Saturday, with Australia and Iceland also in a manageable-looking section.
Brazil, who are in Group C alongside hosts Germany beat a Catalan select team 30-29 after extra time in Barcelona.
The tournament begins on Friday with the Germans facing Poland in Berlin with a bumper slate of 11 matches the following day.
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