There was a women's handball match, qualifying for the next European championship this Saturday in Le Havre.
But frankly, the score and the blue victory (27-18) did not matter.
What really counted was the presence on the Norman floor of the opponent of the Olympic champions.
The Ukraine team was well ahead of Olivier Krumbholz's daughters as his country has been struggling for weeks against military aggression from Russia.
And just this last sentence was a small miracle due to the efforts of the French.
They spent more than 30,000 euros, released in one hour, to cover the cost of the arrival of the yellow and blue handball players.
đź’¬ Olivier Krumbholz, coach of the Blues before France - Ukraine: "Sport must continue, we send a real message of brotherhood" #lequipeHAND pic.twitter.com/agssWf0Krg
— the chain L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) April 23, 2022
Because sport is never neutral in times of war.
Because a simple match sometimes resembles the growth of a first primrose under the layers of snow which announces the end of winter and the survival of beauty and hope.
The Ukrainian handball team is the second in the country, after the hockey players, to resume competition.
In Le Havre, the emotion was palpable as soon as the Ukrainians entered for the presentation of the teams.
The French public welcomed them standing and their hands red with applause.
They were there and it's as if the two teams were playing at home.
On the touchline, the eyes of coach Vitaly Andronov shone with obvious emotion.
His counterpart Olivier Krumbholz and the president of the French federation, Philippe Bana, offered bouquets to captain Irina Glybko.
The coach and his two assistants unfurled a flag on which they had written in black marker "Save Mariupol" ("Save Mariupol") before all the players took a break in front of a panel of support for their country.
#StandWithUkraine 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/tTAUDPPgaH
— Beatrice Barbusse (@bbarbusse) April 23, 2022
It was then time to play handball.
The French, already qualified for the final phase, could have slowed down.
But they decided that the most beautiful of respects was precisely not to take pity on Ukrainian women.
They considered them only as sportswomen and not as ambassadors of a country at war.
And they delivered a real handball match.
With a logical defeat (27-18) but which was worth all the victories.
At the end of the match, the Ukrainians began a lap of honor, applauded by the public of Le Havre.
#StandWithUkraine 🙏🏼
Congratulations to the Ukrainian players who gave their all.
🙏🏼🇺🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/hPeN7rjISx
— Beatrice Barbusse (@bbarbusse) April 23, 2022
