Tokyo (AFP)
The French handball players, beaten by the Russians 28-27 on Saturday at the Yoyogi stadium, no longer have the right to make mistakes to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Olympic tournament.
Nothing is definitely lost for the Blue, in Tokyo's quest for Olympic gold, the only title missing from their record.
But the last group game against Brazil on Monday is akin to a round of 16.
The players of Olivier Krumbholz have only one victory after four matches in their "group of death" as the coach repeats.
Blame it on their failed match against Spain (28-25) and then the victory they let slip away against Sweden (28-28) by missing a penalty in the final second.
"We are a team that likes to find themselves in delicate positions," said Béatrice Edwige after Sweden.
Here they are with their backs to the wall against Brazil.
Rather than Grâce Zaadi, unhappy shooter on Thursday and little success in the seven-meter throw since the start of the tournament (10/14), it was Allison Pineau who took over this role with ease (6/6) against Russia (under neutral flag).
But in this meeting which turned into a duel at seven meters, the Russians had more cartridges and Ekaterina Ilina opposite did not tremble (9/9).
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