Pauletta Foppa (pivot of the French team, on BeIN Sport): “I don’t realize yet, it’s the title that I was missing, I’m so happy. We worked really well. We didn’t give up until the end and I’m really proud of my team. I love them! We knew that Norway liked to play very quickly, shooting from distance. There were dangers on all sides but we had great goalkeepers, we knew how to stop the balls, bring the opponent up, recover balls. We did it all! Now, I still have plenty of goals to accomplish, but I’m going to take the time to savor this title. I hope my career will be as long, with always such exceptional girls at my side.”
Léna Grandveau (Right back of the French team, on BeIN Sport): “It’s incredible what’s happening. It’s crazy ! We gave everything. It’s truly magical. The last quarter of an hour seemed super long to me, we couldn’t take it anymore, we wanted it to end. We put out an incredible defense, with equally incredible goalkeepers. It’s so good. To experience this for me was rather unexpected. I arrived last year as a youngster and this year I had the chance to participate in this World Championship as a right back. It’s all new to me and I’m so proud.”
Olivier Krumbholz (French team coach, on BeIN Sport): “It’s a wonderful moment. We had difficulty at the start, we couldn’t stop Henny Reistad, who is an exceptional player, but when we found the solutions to cut her runs, it was easier. There were incredible performances, like what Léna Grandveau did. At a time when the Norwegians were coming back strongly and when we could no longer find a solution in attack, she saved France a little. The objective will be to be even better than that next summer (for the Paris-2024 Games, Editor’s note). Even if it’s great to be world champion, the ultimate goal remains the gold medal at the Games.
Estelle Nze Minko (captain of the French team, on BeIn Sport): “I’m shocked. I’m really in shock. The team was amazing, I’m so proud of what we achieved. I don’t know what to say, I have too many emotions at once. The third star!”
