Date:25/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082556781800.htm

Sport

France takes handball gold

BEIJING: France won the last gold medal of the Beijing Olympic Games, beating Iceland 28-23 in the men’s team handball, to deny the small Nordic country its first gold in an Olympic event.

Nikola Karabatic scored eight goals for France, which led 15-10 after the first half and never let Iceland come all that close in the second. Goalie Thierry Omeyer made nine saves in the first half to help France build its lead.

As the clock ticked down and France maintained its advantage, Omeyer waved his hands toward his country’s large cheering section at the other end of the court, urging the fans on.

Iceland settled for the silver medal, still its best showing in any event since 1956. Iceland has won four medals, two silvers and two bronzes. — AP