France, Norway out to continue handball domination

Franch veteran Nikola Karabatic is shouldering the pressure of leading his team to defend the Olympic title. Agence France-Presse

As the reigning world and Olympic champion, the French men's handball team is the side to beat at the London Games, while in the women's tournament, it is all-conquering Norway who starts as favorite.

Despite taking the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games and last year's World Championships in Sweden, France's men struggled during January's European Championships, finishing 11th, and need to reassert themselves in London.

The French have several experienced stars noticeably leftback Nikola Karabatic and goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer, but face an anxious wait to see if Hamburg pivot Bertrand Gille is fit after shoulder surgery.

In London, the French face host Britain, France, Sweden, Iceland, Argentina and Tunisia in Group A, while Group B is a much tougher prospect made up of Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, European champion Denmark and South Korea.

Spain, Croatia, Denmark and Serbia all reached the Euro semifinals in January, but the Danes are in form having beaten Serbia in the final and in leftback Mikkel Hansen, they have the world player of the year.

Despite his team's relatively kind draw, France coach Claude Onesta says he is taking nothing for granted.

"We all know that the Olympics are not like any other traditional competition," said the 55-year-old Onesta. "There are two competitions in one: The first week of group games and then the one that starts in the quarterfinals.

"The two pools are unbalanced and we inherit the easiest on paper. This draw can enable us to improve gradually, but our recent experience at the Euro makes me think that we need to worry about ourselves, not our opponents."

Host Great Britain will have to produce something extraordinary if it is to make an impact in either the men's or women's competitions as both teams were reformed to compete in London with only mediocre success thus far.

In the women's event, Norway arrives in London as reigning world, European and Olympic champion, but faces stiff competition from Denmark, the only other women's team to have held all three titles simultaneously, and Russia.

Norway has drawn South Korea, Sweden, France, Denmark and Spain in Group B, while Russia is in Group A alongside Great Britain, Montenegro, Russia, Croatia, Brazil and Angola.

The Norwegians beat Russia 32-27 in the Beijing final four years ago after racing into an early 10-point lead with wing Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth finishing the game with nine goals from 10 shots.

At the 2011 world final in Brazil, Norway took the title with a 32-24 victory over France as the French lost their second consecutive world final after being defeated by Russia in 2009.

Norway's players celebrate after their team won the Women's World Handball Championship final against France last year. Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 07/21/2012 page16)