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Summary France registered a narrow 22-21 victory over Sweden to keep Olympic handball title.
France beat Sweden by a single goal on Sunday to become the first mens handball team to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.The world champions endured a tense second half to hold off Swedens comeback attempt and hold out for a 22-21 victory.We were superb. The players were outstanding and the fans incredible. What a magnificent game, atmosphere and occasion, said coach Claude Onesta. To win it four years ago was fantastic but to do it in London in the next Olympics was even better. We have a very experienced team which knows how to win the big occasions and we did it again.France took control of the game toward the end of the first half and led 10-8 at the break. The Swedes then came within one goal of drawling level three times in the second half but were unable to keep momentum against a French defense anchored by Didier Dinart, regarded as the worlds best backline player.The loss gave Sweden its fourth Olympic silver medal since 1992, having never won gold. Earlier, Croatia beat Hungary 33-26 to get the bronze.
