France Women's Handball Team Falls to Netherlands but Eyes Quarter-final Duel with Denmark

On December 8, 2025, the French women's handball team experienced a narrow 26-23 defeat to the Netherlands during the group stage of the World Championship in Rotterdam. This marked their first loss to the Dutch team since Euro 2016, ending a lengthy unbeaten streak. Despite the setback, France secured second place in Group 3 with eight points and will face Denmark in the quarter-finals.

The match featured a strong individual performance by French captain Tamara Horacek, who scored six of France's first-half goals from eight shots, keeping France competitive amidst early struggles. The French team fell behind quickly, trailing 4-1 early on, prompting coach Sébastien Gardillou to call an early time-out as the Netherlands established momentum. Goalkeeper Hatadou Sako made eleven critical saves in the first half, helping maintain a tight scoreline at halftime of 14-13 in favor of the Netherlands.

However, Sako's effectiveness diminished in the second half while the French offense faltered against the Dutch defense, led by outstanding goalkeeper Yara Ten Holte, who was named player of the match. France experimented with tactics, including playing with seven attackers against six defenders and employing two pivots, but these strategies ultimately failed to break through.

The Netherlands topped Group 3 with ten points and will take on Hungary in their quarter-final clash. For France, the upcoming match against Denmark—European vice-champions who previously ousted France from the Euro 2024 finals—presents a critical chance for redemption and to advance further in the tournament. Coach Gardillou acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We had solutions but lost balls we shouldn't have lost," while Horacek expressed frustration at missed opportunities that led to the defeat.

As the French squad prepares for Wednesday's quarter-final, they aim to regroup and improve offensive efficiency to overcome a tough Danish side and continue their World Championship campaign.