Tokyo (AFP)

From one Olympic final to another, everything has changed for French handball players in five years.

This time, the Blue are eager to grab the gold medal on Sunday, the only title they lack, to seal their new status against the Russians on Sunday.

Same rings on the floor, same opponent but especially not the same metal: "We were already very happy to have a medal. This year, it's completely different", announces Béatrice Edwige, one of the five of the lost final in Rio which will compete in Tokyo (3:00 p.m. local, 8:00 a.m. French).

That of 2016 was so unexpected after four years without reaching the last four of any tournament and the catastrophic recall of Olivier Krumbholz to the post of coach before the Games.

"For me, it was unlikely that we would make a medal, given the state in which we were six months before," recalls the 32-year-old pivot.

This time, "the goal is really to win the gold medal," says goalkeeper Cléopâtre Darleux.

Even if the serial injuries of the spring, those of captain Siraba Dembélé, their shooter Orlane Kanor and right-back Aïssatou Kouyaté had darkened the blue horizon.

Sunday's final looks like a revenge against fate, also against the Russians who had beaten them 22-19 in Rio.

"That's not what drives me, rejects Grace Zaadi. Regardless of the opponent, we will want to go for the gold."

The captain of the France team Estelle Nze Minko against Sweden in the semi-final at the Tokyo Games, August 6, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP

Their Olympic title would be the first for a French women's collective sport team.

The world (2017) and European (2018) champions can mark their time, write the history of French sport as a whole, in addition to that of handball.

- Twin teams -

"It reminds me a little of boys. I watched them, they won everything. They were really stars and it would be good if we were stars", laughs Cleopatra Darleux.

"They were above," she resumes, seriously. I want us to be on the same path. "

Across it, the Russians await them, twin team of the Blue in this tournament which they had just as badly started and recovered by a success against the French (28-27).

"After the draw against Brazil and the horrible match against Sweden (36-24), I think everyone thought that Russia would come home from the group stage but we are there," said Vladlena Bobrovnika after eliminating the big Norwegian favorites in the semifinals (27-26).

A mirror image of the French handball players transformed since their match looking like the round of 16 against the Brazilians (29-22) followed by an overwhelming success in the quarter against the reigning Dutch world champions (32-22).

Russian players happy with their qualification for the final of the Olympic handball tournament in Tokyo, August 6, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP

"Since the famous meeting that we all had together before the match in Brazil, during which we talked and broke everything down, we always want to fight for each other more, appreciates Grace Zaadi. play with what defines us. "

Namely a determined defense.

This will be put to the test by Anna Vyakhireva.

The sparkling little Russian back (1.68 meters) against the Norwegians (9 goals) had caused problems for Olivier Krumbholz's players in the first round by obtaining four penalties and scoring five goals, as already in Rio.

© 2021 AFP