“It is for these emotions that we play handball”: imperial against Sweden (37-28), the goalkeeper of the French team, Laura Glauser, relished the qualification for the World Cup final, which the Bleues will try to win “with our heart, our soul, the little energy we have left.”
QUESTION: What is your feeling after this qualification at the end of a game controlled from start to finish?
ANSWER: “I am relieved, peaceful. All these emotions feel good but I’m missing something, and I really want us to go all the way. We will give everything to win this (gold) medal. It doesn’t matter if we are tired, Pierre, Paul, Jacques or I don’t know, we will go for this final with our heart, our soul, the little energy we have left.
Q: What effect do these perfect first 20 minutes have on the pitch, where almost no ball enters the goal and, in attack, everything goes well for you?
A: “Against Norway… (She composes herself) against Sweden – sorry I’m already there – it was important to start very strong. We had to stifle them from the start, and that’s what we did to give them no chance of coming back, because we give them the little finger and they take the arm. It’s so good, it’s for these emotions that we play handball, it’s strong, intense.”
Q: 80% saves after 18 minutes: have you ever achieved such a performance in a high-stakes match?
A: “I have no idea and once again, I repeat the same thing but what matters to me is the collective. If my defense wasn’t like that, I couldn’t have that kind of percentage. I am not here for percentages but for victory, to go the furthest. If we win in the end and I have lousy statistics, I will be happy.
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