Handball-France double gold hopes dashed by Germany, Spain also reach semi-finals

LILLE – France agonisingly lost their men’s handball quarter-final 34-33 against Germany on Wednesday, ending the Olympic hosts’ dream of another handball double gold and marring the end of left back Nikola Karabatic’s career as he retires from the sport.
France had been ahead at halftime but made a huge mistake when they lost possession in the final seconds, allowing Germany right back Renars Uscins to score and take the game to overtime. The 22-year-old also scored the final tie-breaking 9-metre shot.
“I think in a thousand times it won’t happen again, it’s maybe impossible, but today that it should happen is crazy, that our guys catch the ball and Renars Uscins scores,” said Germany captain Johannes Golla.
Earlier, Spain edged Egypt 29-28 and will play the Germans in the semis, with right wing Aleix Gomez pouring in nine points, including the final tie-breaking shot during overtime.
Later on Wednesday, Tokyo silver medallists Denmark will face Sweden, while Norway meet Slovenia as they battle to advance to the semis on Friday.
The French and German teams gave three-times world player of the year Karabatic a standing ovation at Pierre Mauroy Stadium as the disappointed player waved goodbye after France’s dream of again winning the men’s and women’s Olympic titles were dashed.
France’s patchy performance has been attributed by some players to grief over the death last month of Christophe Dubois, physiotherapist for the Paris St Germain team, where many of the team have played.
“Half the team, those who have played in Paris, have lived through a tragedy … we’ve been a bit lost, a bit disoriented because of this,” Elohim Prandi said on Sunday after their win against Hungary.
The French women’s team still have a chance to claim gold, having won all six of their matches in the competition so far.
Les Bleues face Sweden in the semi-finals on Thursday, while Tokyo bronze medallists Norway play Denmark.
“We are in the middle of it now, we want to take a big step in the semi-final – we’re getting closer to the end,” France coach Olivier Krumbolz said after they beat Germany on Tuesday.