The best team in the world finally reached the Olympic final. The final that they were looking for in Athens four years ago, where they performed also excellent in the preliminary group, but they were out in the quarter final. The final that they were looking for at the last WCh (2007) and last Euro (2008). In the end, they got only a bronze at ECh. But today, the past doesn´t matter anymore. It matters the present and especially the future, the near future, because on Sunday it wil be the big fight for gold.
Against Croatia, France was better in every sector. The French defense gained back his strongness in the most important moments of the match, especially in the last 8 minutes, when Croatia scored only 2 goals. Of course, Titi Omeyer was once again brilliant, having an incredible saving percentage of 44% and saving two crucial 7 meter shots executed by one of the best specialists in the world, the fantastic right wing Mirza Dzomba. And even the second goalie, Karaboué, helped his team, blocking a 7 meter shot of Sprem. In comparison, Girault and Guigou controlled their nerves at the 7 meter line and scored all the four shots they have.
And by the way strong nerves, that was all about in this dispute. And that´s because Croatia leaded 9:6 after 16 minutes, but the players dressed in blue didn´t lose their nerves and made a great come back in the game. Cedric Burdet (6 goals from 7 shots, 3 assists), excellent the whole game, was in this case their secret weapon, scoring three times and giving back the advantage to his squad (11:10/24.) Nikola, watched again very carefully from the rival defence, was the one who scored the last goal of the first half, 12:11.
After the break, both teams were head to head, with both taking and giving away the lead. The decisive moments of the game came in the last 8 minutes, when France extended their lead to three goals (25:22/59.) thanks to a great defence who pushed the Croatians to mistake. Metlicic, Lackovic, Horvath, Duvnjak and even the magician Balic missed or commited tehnical mistakes. In attack the job was done by Narcisse (2 goals) and Guigou (1 goal, 1 assist). The goal scored by Sprem in the end was totally useless and Nikola and his pals progressed into the final and have now the chance to make true the most beautiful dream an athlete can have. Make it true for you, guys, you deserve it!
Statistics
France - Croatia 25:23 (12:11)
France: Omeyer (17/2 saves), Karaboué (1/1 save) - Dinart, Burdet (6), B. Gille (1), G. Gille, Narcisse (6), Girault (3/3), Karabatic (3), Kempé, Abati, Abalo (4), Guigou (2/1), Patty.
Croatia: Alilovic (5 save) Losert - Sulic (1), Balic (3), Duvnjak, Lackovic, Vori (1), Dominikovic, Dzomba (1), Horvath (5), Vukovic (3), Sprem (5/1), Metlicic (2), Valcic (2).
NK22.COM
