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France's women's handball team celebrates World Cup victory
Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP
Successful revenge, feared opponents defeated: France's women's handball players have won the World Cup title. The Olympic champions beat Norway 2021-31 (28-20) in the rematch of the 17 final to ascend the intercontinental handball throne for the third time. Denmark had previously secured bronze in the match for third place by beating Sweden 28:27 (18:15). Two years ago, Norway defeated France 29-22 in the final.
In the final on Sunday in Herning (Denmark), Tamara Horacek and Lena Grandveau became the best French throwers with five goals each. For Norway, who missed out on their fifth World Cup triumph, Nora Mork (8) scored the most goals. The French pulled away to four goals in the first half (19-15), but Norway could not be shaken off for a long time, but in the end came up short.
The teams could meet again at the Olympics
France had prevailed in the semi-finals with 37:28 against Germany's conqueror Sweden. Norway had advanced to the final with a 29-28 overtime win over hosts Denmark.
France, as hosts, and Norway, as European champions, had already secured qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris before the last World Cup match. As a result of the final constellation, Denmark also moved up to the field of participants at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris as vice European champions. Sweden, like the German team, still has the opportunity to secure its participation via one of the three qualifying tournaments in April 2024.
Germany's women's handball team finished sixth at the World Championships even before the final. The team of national coach Markus Gaugisch lost the match for 5th place against the Netherlands 26:30 (7:16) after a weak performance.
Nevertheless, it was the best World Championship result since winning bronze 16 years ago, but that was little consolation. "It's hard for us right now, everyone is empty. The defeat is sobering and hurts," said Gaugisch.
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