Women’s handball gold for Russia

AP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Russia won a hard-fought contest against France to take Olympic women's handball gold Saturday, drawing motivation from a speech by coach Evgeny Trefilov that emphasized the team's underdog status.
Neither of the finalists had been among the pre-tournament favourites - the French had never won an Olympic medal and Russia was emerging from a prolonged rebuilding effort. That all changed when Russia toppled two-time defending gold medallist Norway and France upset the Netherlands in the semifinals.
''We knew we didn't have the right to lose. We got fired up, prepared very seriously,'' Russia's Ekaterina Ilina said. ''(Trefilov) told us the French were happy to be playing us (instead of Norway), and that got us really angry.'' The team took the message to heart, grinding out a 22-19 victory at Future Arena that was the lowest-scoring final in Olympic women's history.
Russia held a small lead for much of the game, and would have scored more if not for some spectacular saves by the French goalkeepers. Russia's Anna Vyakhireva was the top scorer with five goals. France had several key players struggling with injuries.
Movement was the key for Russia's ''miniature'' team against physically stronger France, he said. ''If you're small, you need to run away.''

Womens handball gold for Russia

AP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Russia won a hard-fought contest against France to take Olympic womens handball gold Saturday, drawing motivation from a speech by coach Evgeny Trefilov that emphasized the teams underdog status. Neither of the finalists had been among the pre-tournament favourites - the French had never won an Olympic medal and Russia was emerging from a prolonged rebuilding effort. That all changed when Russia toppled two-time defending gold medallist Norway and France upset the Netherlands in the semifinals. We knew we didnt have the right to lose. We got fired up, prepared very seriously, Russias Ekaterina Ilina said. (Trefilov) told us the French were happy to be playing us (instead of Norway), and that got us really angry. The team took the message to heart, grinding out a 22-19 victory at Future Arena that was the lowest-scoring final in Olympic womens history. Russia held a small lead for much of the game, and would have scored more if not for some spectacular saves by the French goalkeepers. Russias Anna Vyakhireva was the top scorer with five goals. France had several key players struggling with injuries. Movement was the key for Russias miniature team against physically stronger France, he said. If youre small, you need to run away.