The French handball team, reigning Olympic champion, was comprehensively dominated by Norway (34-22) in its first Olympic preparation match, this Thursday in Pau.
The French handball team, reigning Olympic champion, was dominated in a big way by Norway (34-22) for its first preparation match for the Olympics, Thursday in Pau. It is certainly only the first of three friendly matches scheduled before the Olympics (July 26-August 11), but this first defeat in more than a year and a half (match for 3rd place in Euro-2022) is a blot three weeks before defending the title.
The Blues, who wanted to measure themselves against the cream of the crop in preparation, were served hot with this vengeful Norway after having been dispossessed of its world title in December by its host of the day. Who will meet it again on Saturday, still in Pau.
After three weeks of preparation, nothing worked for Olivier Krumbholz’s players, who were left behind after fifteen minutes of play (4-8, 13th), with a four-goal gap maintained at half-time (11-15). Before taking on water at the start of the second half (13-24, 42nd).
Without their defensive leader Pauletta Foppa, left in the stands (like goalkeeper Laura Glauser and right-back Déborah Lassource), the French were unable to trouble the Norwegians, who were nevertheless deprived of their centre-half Nora Mork and Stine Oftedal, but not of the bombers Henny Reistad (9 goals from 10 attempts) and Kristine Breistol (5/6).
No stop for Darleux
They were also unable to count on the saves of their goalkeepers, who were often poorly protected by the defense. Glauser, the regular in the stands, Hatadou Sako and Cléopâtre Darleux were engaged in a long-distance duel for the second ticket in the list of 14 for the Olympic Games that will be announced on Monday.
None really shone, with Sako (7 saves on 34 shots) playing most of the match, which she finished a little better. She was only replaced at the end of the first period by Darleux (0/4 in 11 minutes) who, at 35, made her big comeback in the Blues after 13 months without playing (February 2023-March 2024) due to a concussion. In attack, the Blues, quickly deprived of their long-distance shooter Orlane Kanor (crutch in the 14th minute), were unable to deploy their transition game in the absence of ammunition, the few of which were wasted.
Like two balls to get back to two goals in the first half (7-10, 18th) and a pass from Alicia Toublanc intercepted just after the break to allow the Norwegians to take a six-goal lead (11-17, 32nd). A multitude of approximations to correct from Saturday.
