The French women’s handball team lost heavily to Norway (30-21) in their first preparation match for the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday night in Bayonne.
The daughters of Olivier Krumbholz, in difficulty on the offensive plan, constantly chased the score during a first missed act against the Norwegian European champions, in the game already much more developed and clinics, which they will find Tuesday (7 p.m.) still in Bayonne for a second preparatory opposition to the Olympics. Deprived of Estelle Nze Minko, preserved after her foot injury at the end of the season, Méline Nocandy, affected in the thigh, then quickly of Océane Sercien-Ugolin, victim of a sprained ankle, it is the managers Grace Zaadi (7 goals) and Alexandra Lacrabère (3 goals in the first half) who tried to lead the revolt of this diminished team. In vain.
The final disbursement of nine goals is certainly anecdotal for the teammates of the new captain Coralie Lassource who lacked precision in the shots, rhythm at times and aggressiveness, often leaving their goalkeepers on their own in one against one. . This match also allowed the coach to refine his final list of fifteen players that he must unveil this Monday.
21 30
Les Bleues bowed widely in this first preparation match
RDV Tuesday, same opponent
#BlueberryProud #DirectionTokyo pic.twitter.com/eiJkxNmYx1– French Handball teams (@FRAHandball) July 4, 2021
Opposite, the Nordiques, carried by their leader Stine Bredal Oftedal sovereign in the first period (5 goals), did not have to force their talent to take the measure of the tricolors and appear more than ever as favorites for Olympic gold. The two nations, which are not in the same group, will only be able to meet from the quarter-finals.
Before starting the competition in Japan, a land that did not smile on them during the 2019 Worlds elimination in the preliminary round – the French will play three other preparation matches, against Norway on Tuesday, then against Japan on July 19 and Montenegro for two days later.
– .
