After the boys at the start of the year, the handball girls are in their turn in the final of their World Championship. It’s cool and it’s not the first time this has happened. In 2011 and 2017, the two selections had already reached the final of a World Cup in the same calendar year. 6 years ago, they both won. Not this time since the men already lost their final in Stockholm in January.
The best part is that a few months before “our” Olympic Games, French handball continues to be up to par. Men and women combined, this is the 15th time that France has been invited to the final of a World Cup. In the 21st century, no nation is more regular than ours. The men are still ahead with 8 participations and 6 titles but the girls are eating up their delay: they will return from Denmark with a 7th medal, whatever its color.
French women, impressive regularity
If it is the most beautiful, the charm will complete those gleaned in 2003 and 2017. Further proof that success does not depend only on a brilliant generation, only four players playing in the final (Nze Minko, Flippes, Kanor and Zaadi ) have already won 6 years ago.
The last point in common with Nikola Karabatic’s band who challenged Denmark is that to climb the last step, France faces what is best. For girls, Norway is the other handball country (three world titles since 2011). To conclude, this World Cup offers us the best possible poster: the Olympic champions against the reigning double European and world champions. Who says better ?
“We have nothing to lose, just to enjoy it”
Failing to be able to make the slightest prediction, we promise an indecisive, suffocating, magnificent duel between two teams who have revenge to take on the other and know each other so well. Norway crushed France in the final in 2021 during the last World Cup (29-22) then in the semi-final of the Euro last year (28-20). But France won the last duel against the Norwegians (24-23) and as recently as last Sunday in group play.
“What happened a week ago doesn’t matter. It will be a completely different match, life and death,” warns right-back Laura Flippes. “We have nothing to lose, we just have to enjoy it, play together and win,” insists center Pauletta Foppa.
After 1999, 2011, 2017 and 2021, this is the fifth time that the two nations have met in the final. Norway leads 3-1 but it doesn’t matter: everything is reset. The verdict will undoubtedly reward the best team on the planet.
“A France-Norway final is magnificent but we can have even more wonderful,” anticipates Valérie Nicolas, the goalkeeper of the 2003 world champions. The same poster in the Olympic final next summer. With a French victory, it would be more than great. » In the meantime, we are already taking the one who can come this Sunday.
