MADRID, 17 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The French women's handball team beat Norway (31-28) this Sunday to win its third World Cup, in a rematch of the final two years ago, held at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark.
France, which already beat the host in the last match of the 'Main Round', won a women's handball classic. The third World Cup final between the two in the last four years smiled this time on France, as in 2017, to dethrone the Norwegians.
The Olympic champion climbed to the world throne with a brilliant final, with options for both in constant twists of the script. The first half was exciting, with a 20-17 score with great success from the French team (80% effectiveness), although the Norwegians were not far behind.
Tamara Horacek led France, but in the second half the goals came into action with Katrine Lunde and Hatadou Sako. The galas avoided the Norwegian epic in the final moments and managed an advantage that they did not miss in the seventh world medal with an Olivier Krumbholz who will leave the bench at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In the match for third place, Denmark beat Sweden (28-27) to win their fourth World Cup bronze. Both co-hosts of the tournament, Denmark was the one that took revenge in part for the bitter defeat in the semifinals against Norway, able to wipe the slate clean with a strong entry that gave them a good advantage (5-1).
The Swedish team reacted after a timeout and turned the duel into a great one-on-one in search of its first medal in a World Championship. Olivia Mellegard and Linn Blohm led the Swedes until the last play, but Denmark won with Kristina Jorgensen's last goal. The Danish Mie Hojlund was the MVP.