From our special correspondent in Tokyo
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For French handball, these Tokyo Games have been a story of gold and revenge on Rio.
On Saturday, the men had taken theirs on Denmark to win the third Olympic title in their history.
Less than 24 hours later, the daughters of Olivier Krumbholz did the same against Russia, which had deprived them of gold five years ago.
At the end of a magnificent final of mastery and control (30-25).
After their world titles in 2003 and 2017, and the European one gleaned in 2018, they come full circle in their record with an Olympic crown.
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The start of the match turned to the competition of jets of seven meters for the Blue who, incisors, rushed into each opponent's breach.
Despite a failure, Allison Pineau took the opportunity to swell his goals counter (three in ten minutes) and France to find itself in the lead after twelve minutes of play very interesting in defense (6-4).
Above all, the French managed to find their pivot admirably well, Pauletta Foppa (7 goals in total), who missed nothing on shooting, and by scoring two goals in quick succession, Chloé Valentini kept the gap in favor of France (9 -7, 19th).
An advantage that the Blue kept until the break (15-13), despite the power of a formidable Polina Vedekhina from afar.
No time to doubt
On the restart, the French women unfortunately had their legs cut a little and they stammered their handball, like a game with the pivot so successful in the first act but which no longer worked. From where losses of ball and a return of Russia to height (16-16, 39th). Nevertheless, the Blue did not really have time to doubt that Océane Sercien scored two magnificent goals from afar, a sector of play in which they had been too discreet so far. And France to follow behind to register a 6-0 of the most beautiful effect (22-16, 46th). Especially since Cleopatra Darleux, in the tradition of her performance in the semi-final, began to cause serious misery to the opposing shooters, going out parade after parade.
In a few moments, this final had just fallen into the hands of the Blue, who did not let go during the last ten minutes both so long and so beautiful (30-25) for these girls who wanted nothing more than gold in Tokyo. For her last selection match, goalkeeper Amandine Leynaud could not have dreamed of a more magnificent outcome. Like her male counterparts Michaël Guigou and Luc Abalo, she starts with gold around her neck.