Goals, spectacle and a taste of the Olympic Games. Here is the Sunday program for the French women's handball team. Already qualified for Euro 2024 (November 28-December 15 in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary), the Tricolores host Latvia (6 p.m., La Chaîne L'Équipe) for the last qualifying match in Saint-Chamond (Loire). A much weaker opponent, as evidenced by the score of the first leg: 55-8 victory for Les Bleues! The issue is therefore very limited.
But the team coached by Olivier Krumbholz wants to finish this six-match campaign well after winning the first five, including the last on Wednesday in Italy (36-13). “It's important not to relax in any match,” the coach told AFP at the start of the rally. We did it very well against Slovenia (35-20 then 41-22). That's what I'm looking for above all: that we grab the opponent by the throat and don't let go for 60 minutes. It's important to be very strong physically and to walk over your opponent. »
And therefore to prepare well for the main objective of the year: the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games. After the reception of Latvia, there will be a last meeting, on April 14 in Clermont-Ferrand against Romania, an opponent of a completely different caliber. Preparation for the Olympics will begin on June 12 with an expanded list of 20 players before being reduced to 15 for the Olympic tournament.