Two days after the defeat against Denmark, the French handball team lost to Hungary in the small final of the Euro (25-24) and finished the competition without a medal for the first of Sébastien Gardillou on the bench.
The Blues finish with chocolate around their necks. Dominated by Denmark and its goalkeeper Anna Kristensen in the semi-final, the French handball team finished Euro 2024 in 4th place after its defeat by a short header against Hungary (25-24).
After beating the Hungarians in the main round (30-27), Sébastien Gardillou's players spent a good part of the match racing behind with a maximum of three goals behind, penalized by numerous losses of balls and the success Hungarian on long shots. At the break, Hungary remained within gunshot.
The curse of the Euro
Faced with Katrin Klujber, the best scorer of the match (9 goals), the French closed ranks in defense to pick up the score (16-16, 41st). In the goals, Laura Glauser (11/30, 36%) and Zsofi Szemerey (13/36, 36%) struggled but the Blue took the lead ten minutes from time on a top corner goal from Grace Zaadi (22-21, 50th). Not for long, since the Hungarian goalkeeper was comfortable shooting from the wing (22-23, 54th).
Finally penalized in the last five minutes, Hungary perfectly mastered its numerical inferiority and brought the Blues to their knees on their last offensive. While Lucie Garnier had the overtime shot at the end of her left arm, Laura Flippes was punished with a strong pass, recording the Hungarian success three seconds from the end (25-24). The Hungarians took their revenge this time and won their first medal on the continental scene since 2012.
Two years after 4th place, France still has to settle for a place of honor despite a perfect start (7 victories in a row). World champions last year, silver medalists at the Paris Olympics, the Bleues are suffering a new disappointment on the continental scene, where France has only won one title (2018). This failure is the first for coach Sébastien Gardillou, who took over from Olivier Krumbholz after the Games. “There was a lack of efficiency but they didn't lack heart. We are two goals short of being in front but I am proud of my players. It was to no avail (…) It will be useful for us to the rest”, whispered the French coach at the microphone of BeIN Sports at the final whistle.
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