After a flawless performance, a demonstration in the semi-final against Sweden and a domination against Norway, who were playing almost at home, in the final, the French women’s handball team won the third World Cup in its history this Sunday December 17.
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Almost 20 years to the day after its first world title, the French women’s handball team did it again this Sunday, December 17. In a Herning venue all in red dressed in the colors of Denmark and neighboring Norway, the Blues dominated the Norwegians to secure a third world championship title on their record. An XXL performance to bring about a flawless tournament, after crushing Sweden in the semi-final seven months before the Paris Olympic Games.
Double European champions and reigning world champions, the Scandinavians this time were unable to shatter the dreams of glory of the French, as they did in the final of Euro-2020 (22-20), from World Cup-2021 (29-22) and in the semi-finals of Euro-2022 (28-20). This 2023 vintage French team, which did not lose a single match all year, was untouchable.
However, she arrived in Scandinavia three weeks ago with the sole stated objective of measuring her progress before the great challenge of defending the Olympic title in Paris next year. Olivier Krumbholz’s daughters also wanted to open up the offensive game, failing at the Euro last year against the Norwegians who had highlighted a traditional weak point of the Blues, who left Slovenia full of bitterness.
Sako at the relay
A year later, Ljubljana’s tears are dried and they have added a string to their bow. As well as a title to their collection. They still rely on a fierce and organized defense, despite the absence of their boss for ten years, Béatrice Edwige, removed to make way for the youth.
This weapon ended up wearing down the Norwegians of Henny Reistad (5/6) during a second period much less lively than the first (20-17 at half-time), where France held on after feeling a comeback in her neck the breath of Katrine Lunde and her teammates (26-25, 49th). She could also have avoided cold sweats at the end of the match if Alicia Toublanc had concluded her counter-attack in the net and not on the bar six minutes from the end on a +5 ball (29-25).
The Blues seem even more effective on counter-attacks, their other ten-year guarantee. Like the one concluded by captain Estelle Nze Minko, after having intercepted the ball herself, to create a first gap at the end of the first period (17-14, 24th). And they progressed through placed attacks, like this textbook action to shift Chloé Valentini to her left wing (24-21, 37th).
Grandveau as a hero
This third title is also that of a very homogeneous group, where almost each player made their contribution. Laura Glauser had been shining in goal for a week? On Sunday, the torch was taken up by Hatadou Sako (4 saves on 16 shots including a penalty), who entered the second half and closed the shop by diverting a shot from Skogrand two minutes from the end.
Sarah Bouktit, 21, took over perfectly in the penalty shootout (2/3), while Léna Grandveau (5/6), one year younger, delivered a sparkling end to the match. Trained as a centre-half, the Nantes player replaced Laura Flippes at short notice, who received a knock in the first half, at right-back even though she is right-handed – and therefore has a lesser shooting angle. With the carefree attitude of his 20 years, Grandveau scored the last four goals for the Bleues, before everyone rushed onto the pitch to celebrate at the final whistle.
(With AFP)