For the fourth time in history France reached the semi-final of a Women’s World Championship. The key to the elimination of defending champion Russia in the re-match of the 2009 final was the French defence. France now will meet the winner of the match Denmark vs. Angola.

 

Russia – France 23:25 (12:13)

They danced on the field – knowing that they had caused a big surprise and they had tamed the Russian bear with their weapons: a strong defence and patience in attack.

The match gave an impression of a real battle of two of the best defences in the world. Especially France played extremely movable and closed all the gaps. And if Russia had the chance to shoot, French goalkeeper Amendine Leynaud saved extremely strong. So the runners-up of the 2009 World Championship took the lead after the 5:5 for the first time – but could not extend it to more than two goals. And in minute 25 “les Bleus” had the great chance to go ahead, when Russia had a two women disadvantage. But goalkeeper Anna Sedoykina saved a penalty shot – and even only four Russians were able to stop the French team and avoided to concede a goal.

 

On the other hand the traditionally strong Russian defence was focused from the first minute, but in attack the defending champion missed surprisingly many chances. So France was in lead wit a one-goal margin with the halftime buzzer.

 

Keeping their concrete wall solid in the second half, the French players were able to tame the Russian bears in the beginning of the second half. The world champion did not find any spot to break through this defence – and again the French team showed their great physical abilities. It took seven minutes, when France was ahead with three goals at 16:13. And if goalkeeper Sedoykina would not have saved so many shots, Russia would had been overran already very early.

 

France took the profit of their defence in attack, too: At 20:16 the gap was four goals for the first time. Russia tried everything but still in the final stage of the match they did not find the means to score and decrease the margin decisively.

 

But when the France lost their patience in attack a little, the Russians saw their chance for their final strike. By loping a penalty shot into the net, Turei opened the catch-up chase with the 22:24 about four minutes before the end. After the 23:24 by Kusnetcova, Russia changed their defence tactics to a very offensive one. The nail-biting and thrilling last two minutes had begun with the 25:23 by Claudine Mendy. Russian coach Jewgeny Trefilow, who had found his voice again, took his final time-out 100 seconds before the end. 50 seconds before the final buzzer Leynaud saved a Davydenko shot – and decided the fist quarter-final, which ended with a huge surprise. Ten seconds before the end the French started celebrating on their bench – and then they danced the winners dance on the field.

Statements after the match:

Jewgeny Trefilow, coach Russia:  I do not have any impressions of this match. In contrast to other sports handball is sub-developed, as still no technical devices are allowed to help the referees.

 

Olivier Krumbholz, coach France: We showed a great defence with a great goalkeeper, I have to congratulate my players for this great victory in this important match.  Concerning this importance I can imagine, how Jewgeny Trefilow is feeling now. In the second half we caused a minimum of mistakes and played 100 per cent and with patience in attack.  Compared to 2003, when we became World Champion, this team of today is much physically stronger.

 

Anna Sen, player Russia: We played well in defence, but we lost the match in attack. Maybe some players had been tired.

 

Siraba Dembele, player France: We won the game in the defence, as we stopped the Russians – and due to our patience in attack we won this game.