The incredible coronation of Max Verstappen, Imperial Clément Noël, Antoine Dupont shines with Toulouse, the Bleues of the hand in the quarterfinals … What to remember from the sports weekend

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If the Christmas holidays are fast approaching, the world of sport is not yet at rest, far from it.

This weekend was marked by several notable results, starting with the title of the Dutchman Max Verstappen at the expense of Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1. On the rugby side, Antoine Dupont, just crowned the title of best player in the world in 2021, has led Stade Toulousain to victory against Cardiff in the Champions Cup. In handball, the Bleues suffered against Serbia but will be there for the quarter-finals of the World Cup while in alpine skiing, Clément Noël took place on the slalom of Val d’Isère.

Formula 1: Max Verstappen in the legend

This last round of the Abu Dhabi 2021 Grand Prix will be remembered for a long time. A moment in F1 history was written before our eyes when, in a final offensive, Max Verstappen took his destiny in hand to write his name on the list of world champions in the category. And since there is no winner without a great rival, let us not forget Lewis Hamilton, dominator and first in the race for most of the Grand Prix, who had to give in not without having tried everything to get an 8th unpublished coronation.

Undoubtedly, this season has been one of the most beautiful – perhaps THE most beautiful? – history and these two men have a lot to do with it. Barely a few hours have passed since this dantesque finish that we already have this feeling of lack. A feeling reserved for a spoiled public for nearly 10 months, after a long period of lean competition in terms of competitiveness. So come back quickly, gentlemen.

Alpine skiing: Clément Noël is already showing its fangs

For the first slalom of the season in Val d’Isère, the Vosges region gave a real demonstration. After a dream first round, Clément Noël disgusted the competition during his second run, ensuring – while managing – the best time. “I was just solid”, he confided after his success. “After a few giant slaloms that went wrong, I couldn’t wait to find out what I was worth in slalom”.

With a large margin over the Swede Kristoffer Jakobsen (+ 1”40) and the Croatian Filip Zubcic (+ 1”85), the Frenchman immediately places himself as THE favorite of the specialty crystal globe. We can’t wait to see what happens next, especially during the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing (February 4 to 20).

Rugby: Antoine Dupont wears Stade Toulousain in the Champions Cup

Named best player in the world last Friday, Antoine Dupont did not take long to assume his status. Saturday in Cardiff (7-39) in the Champions Cup, the number 10 of the XV of France put his teammates in the direction of travel.

In two well-felt accelerations – leading to two tries by Anthony Jelonch and Pita Ahki – to which were added a try (57th) and a decisive pass for Bonneval (66th), the scrum-half offered a real festival . And reminded everyone that yes, Toulouse was determined to keep its crown of European champion.

Handball: the Blue in quarterfinals of the World Cup

Saturday in Granollers (Spain), the players of Olivier Krumbholz played their most complicated match since the start of the World Cup. Against Serbia, Grace Zaadi’s teammates experienced a worrying 13-minute air gap at the end of the first period, seeing the Serbs scoring six straight goals to take control at the break (12-9).

Very feverish in placed attacks, unable to exploit the wings, the Blues put themselves in danger but never worrying too much. The proof: two minutes after the return from the locker room, they had already glued to the score. A little more successful thereafter and with an impeccable Cleopatra Darleux at the end of the game, the Olympic champions went for their second victory in the main round (22-19), synonymous with a ticket to the quarter-finals of the competition.


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