Tokyo Olympics: the revenge of French handball players against the Danes

Seeing French handball players on the floor on a final day of the Games has almost become one of the few certainties in life. But "it is not at all trivial", insists Luka Karabatic. It is even a gigantic feat already achieved by the Blues: they are preparing to play their fourth consecutive Olympic final. "People don't realize how difficult it is to win," Luka's big brother Nikola Karabatic lamented before the Games. Reassembled since the start of the tournament, they intend to take their revenge against Denmark, the feared opponent of this team from France, and regain their Olympic title lost at the Rio Games in 2016.

"What awaits us is perhaps still the most difficult," warns the coach of the Blues, Guillaume Gille.

Because on Saturday at 2 p.m. (French time), the French handball players will challenge the formidable Olympic champions and double reigning world champions to try to win the gold medal. 

Denmark, the bête noire of recent years

Bête noire or curse, in front of Denmark, in recent years, the French handball team falters. It all started in Rio in 2016. The Blues, reigning double Olympic champions in Beijing in 2008 then in London in 2012, bow to Denmark (26 to 28). Since then, it's almost impossible to win. In 2019, during the World Cup in Hamburg, the French did not pass the semi-final, eliminated by… the Danes. The advantage is that the French know their opponents well. "We had the chance to play the Danes in a friendly match and we could see the gaps we had in front of them," said Mickaël Guigou to the

. On July 21, during their last preparation match before the Tokyo Olympics, the Blues once again lost to Denmark (28 to 33).

However, the France team can believe it.

In fact, Guillaume Gille's men have achieved almost a flawless performance since the start of the Olympic tournament.

With one exception, against Norway (32 to 29).

Countering the unstoppable Mikkel Hansen 

Problem: the Danes have also been impeccable so far, except for a group loss against Sweden (33 to 30).

The suspense is therefore likely to be in its combe because both sides of the players can make the difference.

Let's start with Danish legend Mikkel Hansen, several times crowned best player in the world.

The PSG star, with his allure at the crossroads of Bjorn Borg and a Viking, is unstoppable in Tokyo.

Top scorer of the tournament with 52 goals, "the Hammer" ("the hammer", his nickname) is only two lengths from his record in Rio even before the final.

But the French clan has nothing to envy the Danish.

He will be able to count on Nikola Karabatic, again and again.

With five participations in the Games, he remains one of the pillars of the team.

At 37, he will seek revenge on the Rio Olympics.

Finally, there is also the Hugo Descat surprise.

After a long absence in the national team from 2013 to 2020, he won in this international competition with almost a flawless goal against the goals: 4 out of 4 against Argentina, 3 out of 3 against Brazil, 5 out of 6 against the 'Germany, 7 of 7 against Spain, 5 of 5 against Norway and 5 of 5 in the semi-final against Egypt.

The decisive face to face of the goalkeepers 

This final will also be the site of a goalkeeper duel between Niklas Landin Jacobsen and Vincent Gérard, both of whom have performed very well since the start of the Games. They largely participate in sending their respective team to the final with the same score on both sides (23-27), against Spain for Denmark and Egypt for France. Criticized at the start of the tournament in Japan, the French goalkeeper was the author of a sensational performance against Egypt: 17 saves, or 44% of the opposing attempts sent back out of his cages. He will face Niklas Landin Jacobsen, who was decisive against Spain with 12 saves including 4 in the last ten minutes.

This fourth consecutive Olympic final could also turn into a record, especially for the last three "Experts" who still play today: Nikola Karabatic, Luc Abalo and Michaël Guigou. If they take back the title of Olympic champion from the Danes on Saturday, they will be able to join the small circle of French athletes with three gold medals at the Summer Games. The trio could also have the most impressive record in the history of handball at the Games. "We just have to give what we have left so that we have nothing to regret, give our all. And may the best win," concludes Nikola Karabatic.