The French women’s team is reaching the last four of the Olympic tournament to continue defending the title won in Tokyo.
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Going from 5,000 spectators in a low-ceilinged venue to 27,000 in a huge venue can be impressive. Les Bleues, who had never had the opportunity to play at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq (North), experienced it on Tuesday, August 6, in the quarter-finals of the Paris Games against Germany (26-23). Although they seemed a little inhibited by this new context, they still managed to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament. And are now one match away from a new Olympic medal.
Paris 2024 – Handball: French women take cover
In a football stadium atmosphere, it took the Blues a few long minutes to take in the size of the stadium and find their bearings, while no training had been possible there before the quarter-final. Olivier Krumbholz’s players were only leading 1-0 after five minutes, and thanks to saves by Laura Glauser, the first German goal did not come until the 9th minute. A goal that may have unblocked the French, who reacted immediately by finding the back of the net three times in one minute.
But just when we thought the machine was finally underway, with a six-goal lead after a quarter of an hour of play (9-3), the Blues then experienced a big ten-minute lapse without scoring. With too much waste and ball losses in attack, they let the Germans get closer and were “only” leading 13-10 at half-time.
After the break, Germany tightened the screws in defense and managed to equalize (15-15 in the 40th minute). But without panicking, the French team resumed its march forward, with saves from Laura Glauser and goals from Tamara Horacek that put them back on the right track. They finally won 26-23 in a match with more adversity than during the preliminary round against opponents who were well within their reach.
They will have to continue to build up their strength to face Sweden or Hungary in the semi-finals. And hope that their male counterparts imitate them in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, same place, same time, same opponent.