Although dispossessed of their European title on Sunday night by Norway, the French handball players achieved a superb run during this competition, two years after being eliminated from the group stages of the World Championship.

This second place is a promise for the future according to Virginie Phulpin.

This is the sports editorial of Virginie Phulpin.

The French handball players missed the last step of the Euro.

Les Bleues were beaten 22-20 by Norway last night in the final.

But for you, you have to overcome this disappointment to retain such positive messages for the future.  

It's easier said than done.

Of course, they hurt those tears that we saw streaming down the cheeks of the Blue at the end of the meeting.

They are competitors, and they were not going to accept defeat on the spot by congratulating themselves on their journey in this Euro, no.

But these tears also show us how much sports emotions make us come alive.

In an hour and a half, there was apprehension, joy, fear, frustration, a sense of sacrifice, hope that was reborn.

We shouted, we bit our nails, we pushed ah and oh ... In short, a little condensed life supercharged as we have not known in this black year.

These girls, they make us want the stands to be filled again to share this panoply of emotions.

These girls, they know how to light the flame in the youngest who are going to tread their first floors.

Obviously we would have preferred that this Christmas tale ends with a happy ending.

But I don't teach anyone anything, that's sport too.

Live disappointments after having touched absolute happiness.

Who did not believe it when the Blues passed Norway a few minutes from the end?

Yes, but there were a few inaccuracies, a bit of rush, and victory slipped away.

But this team now knows exactly what separates them from Norway, the best team in the world.

A very small nothing full of promise. 

For you, this defeat offers us promises for the future. 

Look at what just happened in 15 days.

Les Bleues started their Euro in full sporting uncertainty and in the indifference of the public in France.

They end it with a silver medal and a final which fascinated the French.

If that is not promising ...

Then, this team has a future because it has an impressive pool of players.

The youngest started to make their hole during this Euro.

And we also understood that to win, we need everyone.

Cléopatre Darleux may be goalkeeper number 2, if you will, but it was she who carried the team at arm's length in the second half and who was voted best player of the final.

What can we give as a more positive message of team spirit?

And I am thinking once again of the young aspiring sportswomen who were able to assimilate all this while watching the Blue.

So now go to the Olympics.

The French will have a revenge to take against the Norwegians.

It's not so bad to keep a little bitter taste in your throat to approach the Olympics.

No, tears cannot erase hopes and promises.