“It’s a match where it’s going to break mouths” : so much for the general policy statement from Siraba Dembélé, former captain of the French handball team, converted consultant on BeIn Sports, before the world semi-final of her former teammates against Germany. A summary of what has kept French handball alive for the thirty years since it has established itself at the top of the world hierarchy – the intensity, the duel, the pleasure that we get from defensive games. The problem is that the maxim was heard and applied by the Mannschaft, victorious 29-23 this Friday, December 12 after a match that they led from start to finish.
Absent from the last four of the international competition for eighteen years, the Germans are attacking the game with their foot on the accelerator. Biting in defense, when it’s not their goalkeeper Katharina Filter who shines, they take the lead. The Blues, reigning world champions, struggle on almost everything. Their coach, Sébastien Gardillou, takes a first timeout after fifteen minutes of play. “Stop inventing handball”, he implores his players. Positive effect, Léna Grandveau and her comrades are getting back together.
But the balance is precarious. The quality of the French workforce – deprived of several executives involved in maternity projects – requires us to try things. A layered defense to repel the big Germans, players moved from position to position on the back base, a change of goalkeeper… But the flaws already seen a few days ago against the Netherlands remain: the French struggle to convert their shots from close range, and seem to get bogged down in a false rhythm as long as they do not find their cruising speed in defense. At the break, the Mannschaft took the lead (15-12).
The start of the second half does not change the dynamic. Metronomic, the Germans continue to enjoy their mid-range shots, and the French only have crumbs to deploy their fast game. A red card later for pivot Oriane Ondono and the France team attacks the last ten minutes with a deficit of five goals to make up. Mission impossible. The German defensive block defeats the Blues without solutions. See you on Sunday for a bronze medal, against Norway or the Netherlands.
