Tokyo (AFP)

The flawless French handball players continue.

The Blues have already secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament thanks to their 30-29 success against Germany on Wednesday at the Yoyogi stadium.

With this third victory in three games at the Tokyo Games, they are sure before their last two meetings to finish in the top four of their group.

As always since Atlanta in 1996, here are the French at least in the quarterfinals of an Olympic tournament.

"It was a fight worthy of this duel, appreciates the coach Guillaume Gille. Germany, in the history of the France team, it is always strong moments, of significance and of difficulty."

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Finally narrow, the success could have been clearer for this Olympic reunion five years after the elimination of Germany by France in the semi-finals of the Rio Games.

"The match, we must win it more calmly and more easily, not to put ourselves in the position of having to fight in the second period," said Nikola Karabatic.

Guillaume Gille's men quickly made the difference and led by six goals (16-10) in the first period, but allowed their opponent to return to the match.

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"There are small details, missed shots, loss of ball, mismanagement, lists the star of the Blues. At halftime, we should have been four or five goals ahead."

Relegated only three lengths at the break (16-13), the Germans returned to contact with a 5-0 inflicted on the French between the end of the first period and the start of the second (16-15).

Despite the cries urging them to defend a particularly sound French volunteer in the silence of the closed door of the Yoyogi stadium.

- "We manage not to panic" -

Doubled in score (19-18), the Blues relied on Vincent Gérard who signed three decisive saves in quick succession to allow them to return to the lead.

"We manage not to panic and to make a difference. That is positive, retains the goalkeeper. Because we managed to start again."

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And even if the final margin is short, this success is more significant than the expected victories against Argentina (33-27) and Brazil (34-29).

For their entry into the Games, the Germans were narrowly inclined (28-27) against the double European champions Spain, the next opponents of the Blues on Friday.

"The big matches are starting, Nikola Karabatic looks forward with appetite. The adversity will escalate even further"

A victory against Roja of handball then Norway on Sunday, would allow the Blues not to cross before a possible final Denmark, double world champion (2019 and 2021) and immense favorite, who defends his Olympic title in Tokyo.

Provided of course that the band of Mikkel Hansen continues its faultless in its group.

According to Guillaume Gille, the end of this first round is an "important meeting which will determine the continuation of the adventure".

© 2021 AFP