France secured their second consecutive win in the women’s competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, 32:28, against the Netherlands, and are the only team in Group B with the maximum number of points, with the Dutch side, Angola, Brazil and Hungary each having two points.

PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES – PRELIMINARY ROUND
GROUP B
France vs Netherlands 32:28 (17:14)

Just like in the previous match against Hungary, France took a bit of time to settle on the court, as a 4:1 lead was quickly turned around by a 4:0 unanswered run for the Netherlands, as the Dutch side fired from all positions on the court, with star players like backs Estavana Polman or Lois Abbingh contributing fortheir team to take the lead.

France went nearly six minutes without a goal scored, as the Netherlands deployed another 3:0 unanswered run, with backs Dione Housheer and Abbingh, plus left wing Bo van Wetering scoring three times in only 94 seconds, to create a 8:5 lead for the Dutch side, which was defending well and creating all sorts of problems for France.

One issue for the reigning Olympic and world champions was the goalkeeping department, with Laura Glauser saving only three shots. But, fortunately for the hosts, their attack was absolutely stellar, especially on the left wing, where Chloe Valentini avenged her goalless performance against Hungary with seven goals in the first 30 minutes against the Netherlands.

The Netherlands started to lose control late in the first half, when Valentini and back Tamara Horacek, who combined for 10 goals in the first 30 minutes, were virtually unstoppable. And France’s 4:0 unanswered run to end the first half, only shadowed by a free throw converted from 9 metres by Lois Abbingh after the time was over, proved to be decisive.

That run created a three-goal lead at the break, 17:14, which France aimed to protect in the second half. And a team really needs to shine to muster a comeback against the reigning Olympic champions, on their own court, where they are supported by over 5.700 fans. 

With Glauser substituted between the posts by Hatadou Sako, France got better in that department, as Sako made five saves in the first 15 minutes of the second half, enabling France to keep a three-four goal lead steady throughout the first half. However, the Netherlands were no pushovers and never backed down.

As right wing Angela Malestein pushed her way over onto the first place in the top goal scorer standings, adding seven goals to the eight  she had previously scored against Angola, the Dutch side cut the gap to only two goals, 28:26, with seven minutes to go and had the attack, only for Estavana Polman’s pass to miss line player Nikita van der Vliet.

That enabled France to deliver two goals from their back line, with Estelle Nze Minko and Orlane Kanor scoring back-to-back goals, to deal the Netherlands the final blow. Valentini continued her flawless performance, finishing with 10 goals from 12 shots, as France eventually delivered a 32:28 win, their second in a row at Paris 2024.

France made a big step towards the quarter-finals and will try to improve their winning streak on Tuesday against Brazil, which will virtually confirm a place in the next phase for the reigning Olympic champions. On the other hand, the Dutch side hope to return to the winning ways against Spain, which will be facing a do-or-die match after three consecutive losses.