Always so strong in defense, the France team imposed 31 to 26 in the quarterfinals of the Handball World Championship. Olympic champions will find Denmark in the next round.
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A wear, the blue have crossed the Swedish obstacle in the quarterfinals of the Handball World Championship, Wednesday, December 15th. In a very tight and undecided match for thirty minutes, the France team then made the difference at the beginning of the second period by muzzling the opposing attack. The title Olympic champions continue their route.
“Personally, I never lost against Sweden and I hope it will continue,” said Olivier Krumbholz on Monday, December 13 at the end of the victory of his protégés against Russia. It is true that in recent years, the tricolor selection had had some opportunities to cross the Nordic selection.
This one had already succeeded in the semifinal of the last Olympic games, at the Euro 2020 or at the World 2017. But Krumbholz also added: “Currently Sweden is one of the best teams!” And that -I proved it during this quarterfinals.
At the Granollers Sports Palace (Barcelona Province, Spain), the Bleues – which played this time in white – and the Swedish – in Marine Tunic – said forced for the whole first period. Two goals of gap: it was the maximum gap during the first act, and on two occasions in favor of the Scandinavians (1-3, then 9-11). The pause score was 15-15.
The right garie Nathalie Hagman (8 goals in first period) did honor to his most prolific player in the tournament by converting the seven meter jets caused by the left rear elusive, Jamina Roberts. Symbol of the equivalence of level during this first act, both teams shared the same percentage of success and the same number of shots: 56%, 15 out of 27.
But the blue have then dug the gap to the return of the locker rooms, making their defensive strength spoke. While the Swedes had released their guard to evolve with seven field players, the left tricolor winger, Coralie Lassource made an interception before scoring in empty cages (22-17, 40E). The last goal of a 5-0 series for the blue whose opponents will not succeed in recovering. The Swedish attack will indeed remain in check in the tricolor wall.
One last “Pastis” (shot blocked without releasing the balloon) Darleux Cleopatra and the Blues can savor their victory (31-26). During the second period, the tricolor guard had even managed a shot of 40 meters in Swedish cages left empty, again.
Asked at Bein Sports’s microphone after the match, Beatrice Edwige welcomed the service of his defense team: “I find that we are really excellent.” The pivot took for example a defensive decline and an interception signed Chloé Valentini in the first period. “She’s going to get her in one hand. It’s as if she marked a goal. It shows that we are all concerned,” Edwige concludes.
“It was a pure happiness to play this match. Especially the second half. I took a lot of pleasure in defense, adds the half-center Grace Zaadi. They played 7 against 6 and we have managed to annoy them. We have been fluid and lucid in attack. We did not have an air hole. If we can do even better in two days, we take “.
The France team will face the Denmark semifinal Friday, December 17 (at 17:30), while the other poster will oppose Spain to Norway.