Women Handball: French shock for champions Norway

Norway’s defence of their Olympic women’s handball gold medal got off to a poor start as they were beaten 24-23 by France in Group B of the preliminary stages.

The Scandinavians, who have swept aside all before them at the Games, World Championship and European Championship over the last four years, endured a terrible opening as France raced into a 6-1 lead, but they got back into it and closed to 9-10 after 22 minutes of the first half.

 But four straight goals opened up France’s lead again and they went in at the break 17-12 to the good and they did not let up in the second half, shutting out Norway’s late attempts to get back into the game.

The champions pressed right until the end for a way back into it and they could have levelled with the last throw of the ball, but a free throw was bravely blocked.

 Mariama Signat and Paule Baudouin were the French top scorers with five goals apiece, while Ida Alstad bagged four for Norway as they brought the opening day’s play to a close.

France centre-back Allison Pineau believes the result will give her side the confidence to go on and earn a spot on the podium, a fortnight today.

 “I am very happy with this victory, it’s very important for the next match,” she told Press Association Sport. “The team want a medal, gold of course and we think we can do it.”

 Earlier, three-time Olympic women’s handball champions Denmark opened their London 2012 campaign with a thrilling 21-18 victory over Scandinavian rivals Sweden.

The Danish women were neck to neck with their opponents in the Group B preliminary clash for the majority of the game, but four goals in the final few minutes took them over the winning line, with Sweden unable to match them.

 South Korea eclipsed Spain 31-27 while in Group A Russia outlasted Angola in a game that finished 30-27.

 Brazil pipped Croatia 24-23 while hosts Britain were beaten soundly by Montenegro who prevailed 31-19.