We knew that handball was a tough opponent for our federation. But if even the future holders start to humiliate us, we are no longer responsible for anything going forward.
Last December, the French handball players had already taken care to inflict a great moment of solitude on us. Olivier Krumbholz’s girls were crowned world champions, after winning Olympic gold. From then on, we only had one hope left: that the next generation would be a notch below the French team. It was a failure.
Hungary, the FFL’s last hope in handball
The Women’s Under-20 World Championship is taking place in North Macedonia. And in the role of the sorcerer, it is Eric Baradat who replaces Olivier Krumbholz. In the semi-finals, the Bleuettes win in style against Denmark (32-26). From then on, they only have one step left to climb, one that they have never dared to take before: world gold in the U20 category.
Facing them in the final, Hungary. It’s simple, if there is one nation capable of ruining the French hopes, and saving us on the edge, it is indeed the country of the Magyars. And for good reason, the Hungarians are simply terrifying at first glance; they have not lost a single match for almost two and a half years. Just that. And during this period, the Blues have broken their teeth against Hungary; first by losing last year at the Euro (30-29), then by exploding in flight last March (28-19 loss). In short, the Hungarians are the overwhelming favorites of this final, period.
The French U20s and the first one that hurts
It is therefore with absolute confidence that we eagerly await the show in the Boris-Trajkovski hall. But after only 30 minutes, serenity gives way to huge panic. Les Bleues lead 18-14 at half-time, and are in the process of overturning all the predictions. But as is often the case with French sport, we only have to wait until money time to find our colours again. Eric Baradat’s players collapse as soon as they return from the locker room, and concede a tasty 8-3 in a quarter of an hour. As a result, Hungary takes the lead again (22-21). From a very young age, French athletes are conditioned to choke.
But one detail catches our attention; the fall does not continue. Worse, the French remain within reach of the Hungarians, and even dare to overtake them in the last minutes. The Bleuettes win the final (29-26) and win world gold for the first time in its history. The words do not come, do not come anymore.
“We worked a lot on managing emotions in money-time, emotional stability” Eric Baradat
Our ancestral know-how is in (very) great danger.
