The French handball team, reigning Olympic champion, was eliminated by Germany (35-34) at the end of extra time, this Wednesday, August 7 at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. For the first time since 2004, the Blues will not see the semi-finals of the Olympic tournament.
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It’s a road trip that no one wanted to believe. The French handball team was nevertheless knocked out of its home Olympics by Germany at the end of a quarter-final that the Blues had almost won but which they let slip away at the very last second. Three-time gold medallists (2008, 2012 and 2021) and once silver (2016) in the four previous editions of the Olympic Games, the Blues will not be at the last four for the first time since Athens in 2004.
The French team’s difficult start to the tournament was confirmed on Wednesday by this predictable but unusual elimination at this stage of the competition. Beaten in particular by Denmark (29-37) and Norway (22-27), and held to a draw by Egypt (26-26) during the group stage, the Blues approached this first knockout match with the need to reassure themselves and maintain their status at home and in front of their fans.
Authors of a solid match against the Germans and leading at half-time (17-14), the French fought until the end in a breathless encounter that was decided by details, as is often the case at this level of the competition. The efficiency of Hugo Descat (8 goals including 4 shots on goal scored out of 4) and the historic performance of Vincent Gérard in the French goal (42% success rate with 24 saves out of 57) had nevertheless put the Blues on the path to the semi-finals, but an inexplicable grain of sand came to jam the machine at the very last moment.
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A cruel mistake for Dika Mem
While France was leading with four seconds left in regulation time and had possession of the ball (29-28), Dika Mem (10 goals) let the ball slip into the German arms who went to equalize at the very last second. Completely dejected and taken into extra time by Germany, the Blues knew that the trend had now completely reversed and that their opponents were going to make the most of this miraculous offering.
Dominated in extra time, the French finally bowed out to the impassable Manuel Späth (14 saves) and the weight of Renars Uščins (14 goals), who led Germany to a prestigious victory against the disoriented Blues.
This terrible elimination at their home Olympic Games also marks a cruel final match for Nikola Karabatic, a legend of French handball and considered the best player in the world based on his immense list of achievements (four world titles, four European titles, and three Olympic gold medals). A fourth Olympic title will therefore never be added to his list of achievements.
” There must be a 1% chance that they come back and win and they do. It’s terrible to have a twist of fate like that. ” he said after the loud applause from the whole room and the tribute paid by his teammates and his opponents of the day.
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