The France women’s national team’s consistency over the past five years has been nothing short of astounding. Olivier Krumbholz’s side has secured an IHF Women’s World Championship title and a Women’s EHF EURO title, as well as silver medals at the Olympic Games and the Women’s EHF EURO 2020.

Therefore, the expectations are high, and nothing less than a medal would be enough for the French side at Tokyo 2020.

Ever since the Brazilian women qualified for their debut Olympic Games in 2000, they have near-enough been on an upward trend.

Their 8th place at Sydney 2000 was followed by one better at Athens 2004 and then a slight bump in the road at Beijing 2008 (9th), but two top six finishes in the last two editions – 6th in 2012 and 5th in 2016 highlight the progression forwards.

Out of the 24 men’s and women’s teams at Tokyo 2020, Angola’s women represent the best-prepared in terms of recent competitive action.

After it was delayed by six months due to COVID-19, Angola picked up their third-straight CAHB Women’s African Championship title – and 14th overall – exactly five weeks before the Opening Ceremony in Japan.