Tokyo (AFP)

The French handball players ended the first round of the Olympic tournament in Tokyo on Sunday with an inconsequential defeat against Norway (32-29), while they were already assured of the first place in their group.

Nikola Karabatic's teammates already had their sights set on the unprecedented quarter-final to be held on Tuesday against Bahrain, fourth in the other pool.

The French were able to take the opportunity to work in view of the next knockout matches that lie ahead: a seven-a-side game without a goalkeeper in the offensive phase, work on automation, integration of the usual substitutes ...

But several shadows have tarnished the picture of this hitherto ideal first round: the muscle injury of the back Timothey N'Guessan at the start of the match and who did not return to the field after having already experienced a season disrupted by the physical glitches, and that to an adductor of winger Hugo Descat, to 100% to the throws of 7 m during the first five matches.

The pivot Ludovic Fabregas also felt a little alert at the end of the match.

- Gérard in confidence -

Sometimes too passive in defense in the first act, the Blues were left behind by four goals after 22 minutes (13-9) but were able to pick up thanks to the good form of Nedim Remili and Ludovic Fabregas.

The goalkeeper, Vincent Gérard, meanwhile disgusted the attackers of the 2020 world champions with 10 saves on 25 attempts in the first 30 minutes, including a 4/4 in his favor on a penalty.

# photo1

Without ever being unhooked, Guillaume Gille's men often chased the score during this meeting against the Norwegians, back in the Olympic tournament for the first time since 1972.

Unsuccessful at the end of the game, they left the Scandinavians, who will know their opponent in the quarter-final on Sunday night, take a definitive advantage of three goals.

At the same time, Melvyn Richardson has regained some playing time, he who had not played a minute since the opening match.

The meeting scheduled for Tuesday against Bahrain seems more than affordable for the French, dominating in the first round, while their opponent has won only one of his five group matches.

© 2021 AFP