The classic sequence proposed so far was a European Championship in the wake of the Games, but due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics for a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is a World Cup that awaits the new Olympic champions.

Since the appearance in 1996 of this double competition in the space of four months, the Olympic champions have chained with a continental title twice: the Danes 1996 after Atlanta and the Norwegians in 2008 after Beijing.

And in 2004 and 2012, the Norwegians lost in the final after the coronation at the Olympics.

"There are always these stars in the eyes, for sure, because we do not forget, we will never forget", readily recognizes the guardian Cleopatra Darleux, one of the figures of the Tokyo triumph at the beginning of August.

In the space of three and a half years, the French handball players have won everything it is possible to win on the international scene: the World Cup in 2017 in Germany, the Euro at home in 2018 and therefore the Games in 2021 in Tokyo.

"Of course we are expected, at the level of other teams, we will be the target. And at the level of the media or the world of handball, everyone is waiting for us. They want us to do the same. results, that we are always on top. It puts a little pressure, but we must not put too much of it, "warns Darleux, preserved in the two preparation matches against Hungary on Friday and Sunday.

French goalkeeper Cléopâtre Darleux facing Swedish left-back Johanna Westberg, during their semi-final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, August 6, 2021 Fabrice COFFRINI AFP / Archives

Revengeful Norwegians

If the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 (which will take place in Villeneuve d'Ascq for handball) constitute the major objective for the coming years, the Spanish World Cup must nevertheless maintain the positive dynamics of French handball and continue to generate enthusiasm.

"We started again in a cycle, but in this cycle, we are not only working on the idea of ​​performing in 2024. We fully intend to perform in the competitions to come," warns coach Olivier Krumbholz.

However, the tactician qualifies his remarks somewhat: "My opinion is that you can't win all the time."

The joy of the coach of the French handball team Olivier Krumbholz and the French bench, after a goal scored against Sweden, in the semi-final at the Tokyo 2020 Games, August 6, 2021 Franck FIFE AFP / Archives

On paper, the French arrive at Granollers with a workforce close to that of the Games: twelve Olympic champions out of sixteen are present, three (Amandine Leynaud, Alexandra Lacrabère and Blandine Dancette) have retired internationally and only Pauline Coatanéa, who participated preparation, was not included in the list of 18.

French left-back Estelle Nez Minko scores a goal against Russia in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games final, August 8, 2021 Fabrice COFFRINI AFP / Archives

The first phase of competition (first round and main round) in Spain seems within reach of the French, starting with Angola, then Slovenia and Montenegro (1st round), then Russia, Serbia, Poland or Cameroon. (three opponents in the main round).

For this 2021 World Cup, where the Covid threat will still hover over the competition, the French women are therefore among the contenders for the title, just like the Norwegians, frustrated by their bronze medal in Tokyo.

The teammates of Stine Oftedal, European champions last year in Denmark, once again gave in in the semi-finals of the Olympics against Russia, as in 2016. They had to be content with third place, as in Rio, and the world title, which has eluded them since 2015, would appear to be a nice consolation prize for the Scandinavians.

Norwegian center-half Stine Bredal Oftedal clashes with Russian defenders Kseniia Makeeva and Daria Dmitrieva, in the semi-final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, August 6, 2021 Fabrice COFFRINI AFP / Archives

Russia, which will play in Tokyo under a neutral banner in Spain due to a sanction after several doping scandals, will have to deal with several major players who have decided to take a break, like Anna Viakhireva or Daria Dmitrieva.

© 2021 AFP