A final successful test. This Saturday evening, the French handball players won their final Olympic preparation match against Angola (33-20), at the Glaz Arena in Cesson-Sévigné (Ille-et-Vilaine). Facing an opponent they will meet in the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament on August 1, the Blues nevertheless had trouble getting started. Between turnovers and shots on the post, they allowed Angola to lead the debate for a good part of the first act.
To get back into the game (9-9 in the 20th minute of play), the French relied on what they do best: quick ball surges after interceptions or saves from Laura Glauser (6 saves at half-time). After which, the Tricolores flew up the scoreboard.
Solid in defense, only worried by the Angolan full-back Pegado Nenganga (4/6 at half-time), the Blues were able to take advantage of the bad luck of their opponents, hitting the post several times, like the one found on a shot when the French goal was empty 20 seconds before half-time. The French were then able to go to the locker room with a comfortable lead (17-10).
Hatadou Sako solid in his cages
The French team continued its momentum in the second half, helped by a fiery Hatadou Sako who came on to replace Glauser in goal (six saves out of eight attempts, with a 75% success rate in ten minutes of play). Saves from the goalkeeper, a strong defense and supersonic ball surge, the ingredients for the French success are well in place twelve days before the start of the Olympic tournament. Add to that an Alicia Toublanc who is still imperial on her wing and the seven-meter throws (top French scorer, with 7/9) and France ends its preparation matches with a river victory.
Les Bleues will stay in Rennes until July 18, before returning to the Maison du Hand in Créteil and, finally, entering the Olympic Village on July 20. A final match, for an acclimatization match, is planned in Paris (closed to the public), in order to keep the rhythm before their entry into competition against Hungary on July 25.