VIDEO. Charles Bolzinger's incredible neck save that allows the French team to win bronze at the Handball World Championships

Charles Bolzinger heureux d'avoir offert à l'équipe de France la médaille de bronze. MAXPPP – Laurent Lairys

In a suspenseful final against Portugal this Sunday, February 2, Charles Bolzinger made a decisive save in the very last moments, allowing Les Bleus to win bronze at the World Championships (35-34).

Goalkeeper Charles Bolzinger had “dreamed many times”, when he was younger in his bed, of this decisive save that gave the French handball team the bronze medal at the World Cup, Sunday against Portugal (35-34) in Oslo.

The MHB goalkeeper (24 years old), who came on at the start of the second half, pushed back, a few seconds from the end, a point-blank shot from right winger Antonio Areia before being buried under his teammates at the final whistle.

“Since I was a kid, these are images that I imagine in my bed at night: making the save at the end, the team winning. I had had this image in my head several times of turning towards the bench and seeing everyone (rushing towards him). I had dreamed it many times but it was really strong” he declared to the press.

“I was frustrated”

The other key player on the French side is centre-half Aymeric Minne, who scored ten goals for his first start in the World Cup after being sent off definitively in the 32nd minute of the semi-final against Croatia (28-31).

“You can't say I was tired from my semi-final, so I saved my legs for tonight (Sunday)” said with a smile Minne.

“Obviously, I had a lot of desire, I was frustrated. I was keen to do well without overplaying, I tried to play my game and give my all for the team” added the Nantes player.