We’re used to seeing Amandine Leynaud produce magic for France at major championships between the posts but for Thursday’s fantastic comeback win against Sweden in the Paris 2024 semi-finals, it was the goalkeeper pair she’s coaching who made the magic happen.
Leynaud has been part of the France coaching staff since 2022, just a year after her last appearance for the team, ensuring continuity and confidence that had a big part to play in their win.
“In our minds, we prepared for every scenario and felt that Sweden would try to put pressure on us early on. This helped us to remain focused, even when they had the lead.
“We knew we could always come back and once we did, it was bit of a shock for Sweden, which allowed us to take the game.”
It takes two
Leynaud was in goal for the gold medal run in Tokyo and even made a comeback for Györ last year after Silje Solberg’s pregnancy. At 38 years old, you could still see her contributing on the court, but the keeper who has won it all is happy on the bench and with the pair of keepers doing the business for her side these days.
Both Laura Glauser and Hatadou Sako played a big part in their run to the final and are expected to do the same against Norway in Saturday’s gold medal match at 15:00 CEST.
“You know, when I was a player I always said I cannot win something without two goalkeepers. Once again we’ve shown that we have amazing goalkeepers in France. Our style is to have confidence in everyone in the team and they show it on the court. I feel really proud of them and I hope they will express themselves the same way in the final.”
Experience of a lifetime
It’s been 20 years since Amandine Leynaud began her professional career with Metz and as she’s transitioned smoothly into the next phase of her handball life, it’s special that a legend of the sport gets to experience such a big moment for women’s handball up close.
“20 years ago, nobody would have expected to see a women’s handball match in a football stadium, it’s amazing. I’m really proud of what France has done for these Olympic Games, not just for handball but it’s full for every sport. The public have been incredible and I’m very happy to have experienced this in my life.”