Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Sunday, December 14, 2025, 5:48 p.m. / Updated Sunday, December 14, 2025, 5:54 p.m.
France won the bronze medal at the Women's Handball World Championship after defeating the Netherlands, the host country of the tournament, 33-31 after extra time in the small final.
At the end of the 60 minutes, the two teams were tied, score 26-26. France was more pragmatic in extra time and scored 7 more goals, while the Dutch managed only 5.
France beat Netherlands in Women's Handball World Championship minor final to secure bronze medal
The Dutch, pushed from behind by the Rotterdam Ahoy crowd, started the game better and quickly built a three-goal lead. France woke up and managed to equalize, score 6-6, and from that moment it went head to head. At halftime the French were leading, score 12-11.
After the break, the Dutch had another good moment when they created a 3 goal difference, but France did not give in and with 16 seconds to go they were in the lead. The Dutch asked for a time-out, and later they managed to score through Housheer and sent the game to overtime, right in front of the Batavi fans.
The French started the first half of extra time very well and scored three goals. The French defense worked very well, and the Dutch managed to score only one goal in the first half of extra time.
The French women had no more emotions in the second overtime period, and a minute before the end the scoreboard showed 32-29. The final score was 33-31.
France is on its third consecutive medal at the Women's Handball World Championship. France was world champion in the previous edition, while in 2021 it won the bronze medal.
The grand final of the Women's Handball World Championship was scheduled today at 18:30. Germany and Norway will fight for the brightest medal.
