The day before the opening ceremony, the Handball Girls’ Paris Olympics began as they faced Sweden in their first group match. Norway has emerged victorious in most encounters between the two teams, but in the last two meetings, Sweden has seriously challenged the Norwegian girls. Thus, Norway faced no simple task in the opening match.
It started with a high pace from both teams, with neither able to create a significant lead at the start of the game. The Swedes had a narrow lead at halftime, with the score 9-10 in Paris.
Johanna Bundsen was outstanding in the Swedish goal, and when the Handball Girls made a couple of technical errors, Sweden seized the opportunity and built up a three-goal lead.
The Norwegian girls elevated their performance towards the end of the half. Stine Bredal Oftedal was fantastic in the forward play, dancing past the Swedish defense time and again. After a strong finish by the Norwegian girls, they went into halftime with a two-goal lead. The score was 17-15 with one half remaining.
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Photo: © 2024 Sasa Pahic Szabo / kolektiff
The Handball Girls started brilliantly in the second half, and it took a full seven minutes before Sweden put their first ball between the posts. Bundsen continued to perform well after the break and kept the yellow-clad team in the game. Norway maintained the lead, but after a weaker phase, the Swedes equalized midway through the second half.
Bundsen continued to create trouble for the Handball Girls. Norway created good chances, but time and again they were stopped before the ball crossed the goal line. With seven minutes left, Sweden was ahead by two, with the score at 25-27.
Norway fought to regain the lead, but Sweden was too strong in the final moments. Sweden increased their lead twice in the last minute, and it all ended 28-32 in Paris.
Nora Mørk was visibly disappointed after the match’s conclusion and had this to say to TVNorge:
– We simply missed too many chances. Bundsen has a good top level, but we produced enough chances for it to have worked, and unfortunately, we leaked goals at the back. Sweden played well as a team, and we played just okay, and that resulted in a loss today.
The Handball Girls will face Denmark in their next match on Sunday, July 28. The game starts at 16:00 and can be followed on TVNorge/Max.
MATCH FACTS
Olympics in Paris, women’s – group stage
Norway – Sweden 28-32 (17-15)
South Paris Arena, France
Top scorer Norway: Stine Bredal Oftedal and Nora Mørk – 7 goals
Top scorer Sweden: Nathalie Hagman – 8 goals
Expulsions: Norway 3x2min, Sweden 4x2min
See the complete match report here.
Read more about the Olympics.
Read more about the Handball Girls.