Women’s Handball World Cup: Les Bleues continue their flawless performance by dominating Slovenia (31-27)

2023-12-05 00:09:18

An essential victory. Already qualified for the next round, the French women’s handball team won against Slovenia (31-27) this Monday in Stavanger (Norway) during the 3rd and final day of the preliminary round of the World Cup.

Thanks to this success, Les Bleues finished in first place in group C and moved into the lead with Norway in group 2 with 4 points. Austria and Slovenia occupy (tied) 3rd place (with two points) then South Korea and Angola bring up the rear with 0 points. An ideal position with a view to qualifying for the quarter-finals.

After a difficult start to the competition against Angola (30-29) then an easy success over Iceland (31-22), the Blues had some difficulty getting rid of the catchy Slovenes. Olivier Krumbholz’s girls quickly take a two-goal lead (5-3, 7th). An advantage that they maintain throughout the first act (17-15, 30th).

Lena Grandveau au top

Returning from the locker room, the arrival of Hatadou Sako in the French cages in place of Laura Glauser allows France to quickly take a 5-goal lead thanks to 5 saves by the Metz goalkeeper in 8 minutes (22-17) .

The Slovenes don’t give up and return to -2 (24-22, 43rd). But they can do nothing after a final boost from the Bleues led by Méline Nocandy, Coralie Lassource and Lena Grandveau (29-24, 52nd). The latter finished top scorer on the French side with 6 goals.

Effective on the left wing, Chloé Valentini scored 5 goals. The Blues will now benefit from a day of rest before facing Austria on Wednesday in Trondheim (Norway).