Korean women's handball loses 26-20 to Norway at Paris Olympics

Korea now have one win and two losses in the women’s handball tournament as Korea’s sole representative across all team sports.

Korea's Gim Bo-eun, center, is challenged by Norway during a women's handball match at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday in Paris. [AP/YONHAP]

The Korean women’s handball team lost to Norway 26-20 at the Paris Olympics Tuesday, falling to a powerful defense in their third group stage game with two to go before the first knockout round.

Korea now have one win and two losses in the women’s handball tournament as Korea’s sole representative across all team sports at the Games.

Korea and Norway were neck-and-neck during the first half, with both sides creating well-positioned opportunities at the net and capitalizing on every chance to score.

Norway grabbed an early lead, kicking off the scoring with the first two goals, but Korea quickly pushed back to put their first point on the board. Norway stretched their lead to 4-1 and then took it to 5-2, but Korea fought back to tie things up, scoring three goals in a row.

Players on both teams were hit with a two-minute suspension at different points during the first half, Korea’s Shin Eun-joo taken out in the 8th minute and Norway’s Henny Reistad in the 26th.

Norway ended the first half up 13-11 — but not before Korea denied them a final goal with a big save by goalkeeper Park Sae-young.

Korea scored the first goal after the break but Norway quickly recovered, soon taking their lead to 17-13 — their largest of the game so far.

Norway seemed to have the advantage in terms of power, but Korea had creative build-ups, with players continuously creating space near Norway’s net. Still, Korea struggled with defense, leaving only the goalkeeper to try and prevent a fastball.

Kang Eun-hye of Korea attempts to score against Norway during a women's handball match at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday in Paris. [AP/YONHAP]

Korea chipped away at the gap with a penalty, but Norway again overpowered their opponents on the court with solid defending and big saves.

Norway stretched their lead even further, pushing the board to 19-14 after a Korea timeout, and held onto their lead despite incurring another two-minute suspension for Reistad, who came back onto the court with the board at 20-15.

Korea’s attack continued to struggle against Norway’s defense, failing to close the gap after falling six points behind.

Korea ended the match with a successful penalty, scored by Kang Eun-hye, but the victory already belonged to Norway, who ended up 26-20.

Korea have two more games remaining in the group stage before the quarterfinals. They must finish in at least fourth out of six teams to make the top eight.

Korea next face Denmark in Group A at the South Paris Arena on Wednesday in Paris.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]