This is the only title missing from French women's handball.

Guided by Coralie Lassource, the handball players have the opportunity to get even closer to Olympic gold at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday August 6, against Sweden in the semi-final.

The Martinican left winger, recently appointed captain, went through Issy-Paris then by the Hungarian club Erdi before landing in Brest where she is also captain.

After an exemplary season in the club, she now has the heavy load of leading the Blue to final victory.

Surprise captain

After the withdrawal of Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic, captain since 2012, many would have bet on executives such as Leynaud (36 years old, 235 selections), Lacrabère (34 years old, 185 selections) or even Pineau (32 years old, 250 selections).

But it is ultimately the "young" Coralie Lassource, 28 years old and 28 caps before the Olympics, that the coach Olivier Krumbholz took out of his hat.

We've always said it: when things aren't going, you have to know how to return to Lassource.

#Handball #Olympic Games

- Handtroll (@ Handtroll1) August 2, 2021

"Coralie is someone who has a strong personality, even if she is extremely discreet, which may seem paradoxical", explained Olivier Krumbholz.

"She knows what it is to be captain since she is in a club, in Brest, and until proven otherwise, it works very well. So, for me, she has all the necessary qualities to succeed in this enterprise."

"I accepted this proposal with pleasure, it is an honor for me to succeed Siraba (Dembélé-Pavlovic) because she is a person that I respect enormously, she is an incredible woman and an emblematic person in this team. from France, "Coralie Lassource explained at the time.

A convincing tournament

"Respect is earned above all on the field", likes to repeat the neo-captain.

Guiding the collective by example, his method worked this year in Brest.

She led the Breton club to victory in the French league, the Coupe de France and the Champions League final.

It's her match at Lassource, as captain, she sets an example!

#FRABRE


20 - 16 (40 ') pic.twitter.com/07OS3jccXx

- Esprit Handball Caisse d'Epargne (@EspritHandball) August 2, 2021

"The armband is a symbol, but unity is above all before teamwork," she notes.

The "Women of Challenge" had a difficult start to the Olympic tournament despite their status as world (2017) and European (2018) champions.

They had three difficult first matches against Spain (28-25 loss), Sweden (28-28) and Russia (28-27 loss) before convincingly saving themselves against Brazil (29-22). .

A reaction of pride with the manner which perhaps finds its source the day before in a meeting of team cohesion where each of the "fighters", the other nickname of the team, has played cards on the tables.

"It was a very productive day. We had a meeting together, a lot of things were said and that's what made us stronger. I think she will be remembered by all the girls. who were present. It's our little secret ... ", smiles Coralie Lassource, questioned by Le Parisien.

The quarter-final was a demonstration.

The French did not give the Netherlands the opportunity to exist.

Les Bleues took the world champions by the throat, sometimes almost literally, stunned by the return of the intractable defense which made the success of this France team.

For the semi-final, the French will find an "extremely dangerous opponent", in the words of Olivier Krumbholz, whom they know well: Sweden, who has not beaten the Habs since 2014 and a match in the main round of the Euro.

And even during their faltering first round in Tokyo, the French could have won against the Swedes (28-28) without a missed penalty at the last second.

Enough to approach the semi-final with full confidence for Coralie Lassource and her teammates.

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR