Four months before the Tokyo Olympics, the women’s handball team overcame a good Danish team this Thursday in Créteil (26-22) in a preparation match. Neck to neck with the Scandinavians at the break (11-11), the vice-champions of Europe made the difference in the second half. Center-half Grâce Zaadi, the former captain of Metz Handball, was the top French scorer of this meeting, along with Brestoise Pauletta Foppa (5 goals each). Méline Nocandy, ill in recent days, remained in the stands, while Orlane Kanor, victim of a physical glitch, did not come into play. Olivier Krumbholz will count on the two Messines in the second friendly match against Denmark, Saturday.
“We work a lot on combinations in attack, cross movements. I think we still need a little time to perfect the game. We lacked a little lucidity to make a final gap when they played seven, but I think there is ‘enthusiasm, envy and good responses,’ said the coach of the France team, Olivier Krumbholz, at the microphone of beIN Sports at the end of the meeting.
“There are dangerous players. We can see the collective taking shape that will be effective in Tokyo. A little bit, ”he added, affirming that he will continue to distribute playing time as much as possible between the 21 players in the gathering.
The French women, silver in Rio in 2016, are looking towards the Games and the Olympic title, the only one missing from their impressive record (2003 and 2017 world champions, 2018 European champions).
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