Paris 2024 Olympics: The French handball team must settle for the silver medal after their heavy defeat in the final against Norway

Les Bleues du handball sont médaillées d’argent. MAXPPP – ALEX PLAVEVSKI

L’équipe de France féminine de handball est médaillée d’argent de ces Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 après sa large défaite (29-21) en finale face à la Norvège.

Undefeated so far in this Olympic tournament, the Bleues failed against their great Norwegian rivals, whom they had beaten in the World Cup final last December, plunging the French supporters into bitterness, despite a third medal obtained, after the silver in Rio.

The disappointment is on a par with the expectations of the public, who had nevertheless vibrated for the first time even before the start of the match, celebrating the gold medal obtained by the French team of volleyball.

But these Blues missed their final attack, accumulating ball losses and missed shots, a bit like against Sweden, whom they had finally overthrown in the semi-final. There could be no déjà vu against the Norwegians of Henny Reistad (eight goals) and Kari Brattset (six goals), precise and confident.

Unlike the breathless semi-final, the French nevertheless started the match well with a 3-0 inflicted on their best enemies. Solid in defense, and rather fair in attack, they saw their game clearly disintegrate during the last eight minutes of the first act.

They conceded a 6-2 in this period of time, despite Marit Jacobsen being sent off for two minutes (23rd). From 11-9 for France (22nd), the score went to 15-13 for Norway at the intermission…

Horacek in check

This two-goal advantage grew to six (43rd), as the French came up against the magnificent defence of the "Norge". The Blues responded with intensity, but it was not enough.

Olivier Krumbholz's squad, which probably played its last Games, had what it took to offer greater resistance. But several players disappointed, including captain Estelle Nze Minko and boss Tamara Horacek.

Nze Minko did not score a single goal, while Horacek scored four thanks to seven-meter throws, but none in open play in five attempts… Her long-range shot would have been valuable against such a tight defense. This is precisely the asset that Orlane Kanor (5/10) tried to bring, in vain.

The Norwegians add a third gold medal to their collection after their double in Beijing (2008) then London (2012), where their emblematic goalkeeper Katrine Lunde (44 years old) was already there.

On the other hand, the already well-stocked trophy cabinet of the French handball players, world champions three times (2003, 2017 and 2023) and European champions in 2018, therefore remains, for the moment, filled with just one medal Olympic gold.