The German handball players will meet the defending champions from France in the World Cup semi-finals. For the first time, Germany is the underdog.
While the German national players waited for the elevator, the French women flopped through the lobby of the shared team hotel in flip-flops. Most German players are easily five to ten centimeters taller than the French women. Some even more.
But the handball nation France is by no means small. As defending champions, the French are naturally among the favorites in this tournament. France reached the final three times in the last four years.
Many failures at “Les Bleus”
“France is a team that has a lot of experience. All players, both in the national jersey and in their respective clubs, are already highly decorated“, said national coach Markus Gaugisch, summing up the quality of the French squad. Even though many top performers miss the World Cup.
Captain Estelle Nze Minko, backcourt player Laura Flippes and left winger Chloe Valentini are out due to pregnancy and maternity leave. Playmaker Grace Zaadi and goalkeeper Laura Glauser are out injured. An immense loss for coach Sebastian Gardillou, who took over the coaching position from successful coach Olivier Krumbholz almost a year and a half ago. In addition, backcourt shooter Orlane Kanor seems to be in a slump in form.
Defensive bulwark and World class keeper
That nevertheless with “Les Bleus“They showed that they can be expected in the quarter-finals against the top team from Denmark at the latest. The Scandinavians were only able to score two goals from the field in the first 15 minutes (five more came from seven meters). The defense stands like a bulwark and will pose a great challenge to the German attack. With goalkeeper Hatadou Sako, the French also have one of the best goalkeepers in the world between the posts. “You have different options. Players who are very quick to break through, but also jumpers in the backcourt and of course, Sako, a goalkeeper who is the very best“, says Gaugisch.
France compensated for the failures in the backcourt with playmaker Tamara Horacek and a dynamic and powerful Clarisse Mairot. The circle runners Onacia Ondono, Sarah Bouktit and Pauletta Foppa are having a strong tournament, with the latter being seen again and again in the right backcourt – and convincing there too. Most successful thrower of the “Equipe Tricolor” is currently left winger Suzanne Wajoka.
France favorite
“We are not the favorites. Lots of very good players. So let’s see what we can do to annoy them“, said Emily Vogel. While the German team made it into the semi-finals with a clean slate, “Les Bleus“We have already been beaten once in the last main round game against hosts Netherlands.
This doesn’t change the distribution of roles: France is the favorite. This doesn’t deter the German team: “We’ll do everything we can to move forward“said Leuchter, “We have nothing to lose, we can only win“, says Viola Leuchter.