Women’s Handball World Cup: Les Bleues defeat their Norwegian rivals and go undefeated in the quarters

2023-12-11 02:03:12

Olympic champions versus world champions. This Sunday evening, in Trondheim, the meeting between France and Norway at the Women’s Handball World Cup looked like a final. But although it was not the last match of this tournament, it was indeed a group 2 final, a decisive meeting with a view to the quarter-finals. The stakes were clear: the victorious nation took first place in the group and took a quarter against the Czech Republic. For the losers, it was the Netherlands on the menu.

And in this top match against their great rival, it was the French who won (24-23), ending a series of seven official matches without a victory against Norway. Not dashing at the start of the competition, notably with a complicated first match against Angola, the Blues found their best level at the right time. Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m., it is against the Czech Republic that Olivier Krumbholz’s girls will play their place in the semi-final.

The Blue’s defense makes the difference

However, the match got off to a bad start for the French women’s team, who took more than five minutes to find the net. Conversely, the Norwegians hit the ground running and took the first advantage (3-0). Little by little, at the cost of strong defenses, saves from Laura Glauser and supersonic counter-attacks, the Blues returned to contact, before going in front (8-7 in the 20th minute).

The match was rather tough. Fouls, 7m throws and two-minute penalties followed one another. The two goalkeepers even received a ball in the face each. The Blues were not afraid of this physical challenge and imposed their style. But several stoppages in play to resolve display problems on the scoreboard stopped the French machine in the final seconds of the first period and allowed the Norwegians to return to the locker room tied (12-12).

Imperial Estelle I Minko

Unlike the first half, the Blues did not make the mistake of starting the second period timidly. Concentrated and authoritarian in defense, the French recovered precious balls to finish without trembling in transition. In excellent form, Estelle Nze Minko continued to overtake the Norwegian defense, scoring a 5th goal already in the 40th minute to give the Tricolores a three-goal lead (18-15).

The Scandinavians, however, had not said their last word. Little by little, they came back to score, thanks in particular to two consecutive saves from the goalkeepers, to which Laura Glauser responded brilliantly. The end of the meeting was suffocating. Seven minutes from time, the two teams were still tied (21-21).

It was ultimately the defense of Les Bleues and the talent of Estelle Nze Minko that made the difference. With a minute to go, the player from Gyor, Hungary, won yet another one-on-one before crucifying the goalkeeper. On the other side of the field, Laura Glauser stopped the last Norwegian attempt to confirm this victory.

“We were patient, serious in attack, a good match,” rejoiced Olivier Krumbholz at the BeIN Sports microphone after the match. A great defense, a great goalkeeper, everything you need to have an excellent match and a great result. » Radiant, the Blues enjoyed their time with the public for a long time, even if they know that serious things are only just beginning in this World Cup.