Kumamoto (Japan) (AFP)
The French handballers, world champions and European champions, beat Hungary 26 to 21 Monday in Kumamoto (Japan) and finished in 13th place of the World Championship, eight months away from the Tokyo Olympics.
The Blues were led throughout the first period, charging up to three goals behind (12-9) before returning to tie (12-12) to return to the locker room.
Teammates Grace Zaadi then accelerated in the middle of the second period. Right-back Alexandra Lacrabère completed the match at 100% shooting with six goals, the best tricolor marker.
The players of Olivier Krumbholz have suffered in Japan their worst failure for over twenty years by losing their title in the first round of the World Cup, after a series of success at the highest level worldwide (gold at the World Cup-2017 and the Euro -2018).
They are targeting the title at the Tokyo Olympics in eight months (24 July-9 August), for which they were already qualified.
© 2019 AFP