In a shocking turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Germany’s handball team stunned the reigning Olympic champions France with a nail-biting 35-34 victory in the quarterfinals on August 7. The match, which went into overtime, saw a dramatic reversal of fortune in the final seconds of regulation time, marking the end of France’s 16-year dominance in Olympic handball.With just six seconds left on the clock and trailing by one goal (29-28), Germany capitalized on a crucial mistake by France’s Dika Mem. The French player’s ill-timed pass was intercepted, allowing Germany’s Renars Uscins to score the equalizer and force the game into overtime. Uscins, who emerged as the hero for Germany, went on to score the winning goal in overtime, finishing the match with an impressive tally of 14 goals.”Six seconds are a long time in handball,” the German team noted, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport. Germany’s coach, Alfred Gislason, praised his team’s resilience, saying, “It was a great day. The team showed great spirit and determination”.For France, this defeat marks their first quarterfinal exit since 2004. The loss was particularly poignant for French star Nikola Karabatic, who announced his retirement after the game. “It’s over, I won’t live through these atmospheres again,” Karabatic said, reflecting on his illustrious career that included three Olympic gold medals.Germany will now face Spain in the semifinals on Friday. This victory is a significant milestone for the German team, which has not won a medal at a major tournament since the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.The match’s dramatic conclusion serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition, where years of dominance can end in a matter of seconds. As one commentator noted, “It was a great day, but also a very difficult one for the French team”.
Key points
- Germany defeated Olympic champions France 35-34 in handball quarterfinals.
- Renars Uscins scored 14 goals, including the equalizer and winning goal.
- France’s 16-year Olympic handball dominance ends with this loss.
- Germany advances to face Spain in the semifinals.
Contradictions👾Some sources report the final score as 35-34, while others state it as 34-33.
