Hand: a rocket Lacrabère sends France in the quarterfinals of the World – The Obs

Kolding (Denmark) (AFP) – Long led the French handball tore their qualification for the quarterfinals of the World Cup against Spain, 22-21, thanks to a penalty in the last second of Alexandra Lacrabère Monday in Kolding (Denmark).

By crossing this hurdle facing the dreaded vice-champions of Europe, the Blues were perhaps the way the last four as their next opponent, the Nether- Netherlands, has fewer references at international level.

In this crucial match more than one respect, they have also removed a thorn from the foot by getting a guaranteed place in one of three tournaments Olympic qualifying in March, where six tickets to Rio will be in. There’s a also the World Cup, reserved for the winner.

Girls Alain Portes passed, but it was hard ! During a first half “unworthy” according to the coach, they were lagging behind, racking up four goals down. Without Allison Pineau, the only float in attack (4 goals in the first half, 5 at the end of the match), they would definitely let go before the break (9-13).

It ‘ Pineau is precisely not the coach as is customary, who spoke first in the locker room to awaken the French. “She said she did not want to lose for the same reasons than usual,” he told Gates, whose daughters had cracked during games-cleaver recent international competitions.

– A rocket into the top corner –

In the second half Gnionsiane Niombla rang revolt. The player-Loiret Fleury, who was in front of her Spanish team in four of his club partner, has assumed its responsibilities in attack.

In ten minutes, France spent July 1 Iberian to -3 with five goals from his midfield untenable (8 goals in total). At 17-16, it was back in the lead for the first time in 40 minutes!

The French also found defensive virtues for once forgotten in the first half. The Spanish were forced to try their luck from distance, allowing the keeper to succeed Amandine Leynaud few parades decisive late in the game.

“If we had not found this defensive level we would part tears of sadness, “said Alexandra Lacrabère.

The suspense has still lasted until the very last second, when the referee, overall not tender with the Spanish, whistled one last penalty. Alexandra Lacrabère, shipped without trembling a rocket into the top corner which the French will try to follow the path to the podium, even better.