A small feat: the French women’s handball team finally beat Norway in competition, what’s more at home in Trondheim on Sunday (24-23), a success which allows it to continue its flawless performance at the World Cup and to have a more affordable quarter-final.
Instead of facing the Netherlands, first in group IV, the Blues, who topped Pool II of the main round ahead of Norway (10 pts against 8) will face the Czech surprise on Tuesday, still in Trondheim.
The well-oiled Norwegian steamroller
The Czechs eliminated the Spaniards and represent a bad memory for the Olympic champions who, reshuffled and already qualified, lost against them in April 2022 as part of qualifying for the Euro (31-30). But the Blues are approaching this sort of revenge with full confidence, after having collected a sixth victory in as many matches and brilliantly passed the test against the Norwegians, reigning world champions and double European champions.
Along the way, they broke their black streak against the Scandinavians, who had won their last three competitive confrontations (28-20 in the semi-finals of Euro-2022, 29-22 in the final of the World Cup-2021 and 22-20 in the Euro-2020 final).
“We wanted to finish first, have a great match and show that we had not won (so far) because we had faced teams of a slightly lower level,” said coach Olivier Krumbholz. “It’s also a bit of confirmation that the French team is progressing well. It also sets a date for the quarters, the halfs and beyond because we will be even better next summer” in Paris for the defense of the Olympic title, he added.
The French won by overcoming a bad start (0-3) and stopping the Norwegian steamroller, although so well oiled until now.
Glauser impassable
They were also able to rely, once again, on an iron defense, behind which Laura Glauser, on alternating current since the start of the World Cup, produced an exceptional performance which disrupted the Norwegian machine, Camilla Herrem in the lead. Her 10 saves on 32 shots do not say everything about her match, during which she won this psychological duel so often won in the past by the Norwegians.
While she had alternated until then with Hatadou Sako (one period each), Glauser played the entire match.
“Of course it’s nice. I know there are expectations of me, I stay focused on what I have to do and I especially thank the defense who helped me a lot,” commented Glauser.
In front of her, the Blues “all really enjoyed” defending, according to Orlane Kanor. “We went up, we came down, we covered, there were reverse climbs right on cue. It was great,” rejoiced the left-back.
Possible reunion in the final
The reigning Olympic champions, who benefited from fewer counter-attack balls than in their previous matches, due to the efficient Norwegian withdrawal, also relied on the long-distance right arm of Kanor (4/8) and the support of captain Estelle Nze Minko (6/8).
It was the latter who once again rushed into a mouse hole to score the winning goal, 45 seconds from the end, before Glauser blocked, by conveniently squeezing his legs, Stine’s last attempt Skogrand, a few seconds from the siren.
While a draw would have placed Norway in first place, the goalkeeper was celebrated by her teammates, who invaded the field and shouted their joy in front of some 8,000 spectators at Spektrum. With this success, the Blues also open up a more favorable final picture. They will only be able to meet the Norwegians in a possible final, an objective now completely accessible.