Extra-time thriller sees France clinch podium place

France bounced back from the loss against Germany in the semi-finals to edge the Netherlands after extra time, 33:31, surviving a dramatic battle in Ahoy Arena to claim the bronze medal at Germany/Netherlands 2025, leaving the co-hosts disappointed and empty-handed after an incredible home World Championship run.

Bronze medal match
France vs Netherlands 33:31 (26:26, 12:11)

It was a perfect start for the co-hosts, the Netherlands, who put France under pressure right from the opening whistle. Backed by a convincing performance from Yara ten Holte, with five saves from nine shots in the opening ten minutes, they raced to a 4:1 lead. It felt like a copy-paste of their main round encounter earlier in the competition.

But as turnovers started to creep in, France regrouped in attack and within five minutes were right back in the game. Sarah Bouktit was once again flawless from the seven-metre line, levelling the score at 6:6. That prompted Henrik Signell to call for a time-out, trying to regain control while still holding a slight edge as the home side, but it backfired.

Even though Ten Holte continued to keep the Dutch alive with a series of big saves, hasty attacks allowed France to turn the tide. A quick transition handed them their first lead of the match (8:7) in the 18th minute.

Hatadou Sako soon joined the goalkeepers’ showcase as the first half went on. With a mix of strong saves and poor finishing on both ends, the nets stayed empty for five minutes, as neither side managed to break through or seize the initiative.

Orlane Kanor finally ended the scoreless spell and it sparked a response from the Dutch as well. They closed back to within one before the break, halting France’s run after they had briefly gone two goals clear.

The start of the second half was just as exciting. By the 33rd minute, the Netherlands were back level, but France needed only a minute to restore their two-goal lead. Still, the Dutch fed off the energy inside Ahoy Arena, and another perfectly timed save by Ten Holte once again turned the flow.

Bo van Wetering took charge in those moments. She sparked the co-hosts on the fast break, reclaiming the lead at 17:16, and with France piling up mistakes in attack, the momentum fully swung. The Netherlands followed it up with a 3:0 run to move clear at 20:17, sending the crowd into eruption.

But the match refused to settle. Both teams swung between spells of sheer excellence and stretches of poor decisions, and the Netherlands left the door open just enough for France to step back in. Ten minutes from the final whistle, the title holders had clawed their way back to level at 21:21.

The final minutes were just as dramatic. The Netherlands took advantage of a French two-minute suspension, which left the title holders shorthanded almost until the end. Angela Malestein made it count first, finishing for 25:24 and putting the co-hosts back in front.

But the momentum swung one last time. The Netherlands soon found themselves in the same situation and at 25:25 their attack slipped into passive play. The shot was blocked, and France punished it ruthlessly on the counter, scoring for 26:25 with just 15 seconds left on the clock. France tried to shut the door in the final Dutch possession, but Dione Housheer took responsibility and fired from distance for 26:26 and extra time.

Extra time went France’s way. With a stronger defensive approach, they built a 29:27 lead and took control of the game. The Dutch were struggling under heavy pressure and, even though Bo van Wetering and Romée Maarschalkerweerd kept their hopes alive, new turnovers sealed the deal for France when Pauletta Foppa struck for 33:29.

France returned to the podium, avenging their main round defeat to the Netherlands and claiming the bronze medal, their first ever at a World Championship after seven gold and silver ones, and their fourth bronze overall across major competitions. After losing the bronze medal matches at the last two Women’s EHF EURO editions, they finally redeemed themselves in the third-place match.

The co-hosts Netherlands were left disappointed without a medal after an impressive run at Germany/Netherlands 2025, missing out on a dream farewell for Estavana Polman and Lois Abbingh. It also meant they failed to repeat their 2017 success, when they claimed bronze at the World Championship.

Still, Polman had a small consolation, collecting the hummel Player of the Match award and enjoying an emotional moment as highlights from her career rolled on the video cube in front of the home crowd.

hummel Player of the Match: Estavana Polman (Netherlands)