In 1998, France was swept up in football euphoria as Zinedine Zidane and the French national team clinched their first World Cup title. Meanwhile, the women’s handball team, largely overlooked at the time, welcomed Olivier Krumbolz as their new coach.

It was hardly surprising that this news slipped under the radar; just a year prior, the women’s team had achieved their highest historical rank, finishing 10th in their third major competition—the World Championship.

Fast forward 25 years (with a brief hiatus from 2013 to 2016), and Krumbolz remains at the helm, leading France to become a dominant force in the sport.

Last night in Herning, Estel Nze Minko and her teammates triumphed against Norway to secure their third world title, continuing a legacy that began in 2003 and 2017, all under the guidance of the 65-year-old Krumbolz. Norway holds just one more world title than France on the all-time list.

During Krumbolz’s two-plus decades in charge, he’s earned an impressive 13 medals across the three major competitions, including three from the World Championships, one European title (2018), and an Olympic gold (2020).

Interestingly, Krumbolz’s first medal with the team came just a year after his appointment—silver at the 1999 World Championship.

The Lionesses let him go in 2012, but he returned in 2016.

While the current environment is harmonious between Krumbolz and the French team, it wasn’t always so.

Having transformed French women’s handball, Krumbolz was unable to withstand the disappointment of their quarter-final defeat in the 2012 London Olympics, which resulted in his dismissal following a loss to Montenegrin handball player Katarina Bulatović.

His successor, Alan Port, failed to replicate Krumbolz’s achievements, leading to his reinstatement before the 2016 Olympics. That year in Rio, he secured a silver medal, a historic first for France at the Games.

The Olympics became a driving dream for him, and in 2021 at the Tokyo Games, he achieved what he desired, beating Russia in a rematch from the previous gold medal match five years earlier.

Evolving Coaching Style

During his initial tenure, Krumbolz was regarded as an old-fashioned coach, known for his strict discipline and vocal enthusiasm during matches. However, his time away allowed him to adapt his approach, now engaging players during time-outs to discuss strategies.

Philippe Bana, president of the French Handball Federation, commented post-Tokyo, “His three years away allowed him to realize that professional handball has evolved. Our players compete in the Champions League and just needed a new model, which Olivier provided.”

Krumbolz himself acknowledged this change, saying, “Like everyone, I’m evolving; I’m less vocal now.”

However…

He humorously added, “I have to admit I was compelled to tone down my energy,”

Following this new world championship victory, Krumbolz announced that he would coach France at the upcoming “home” Olympic Games in Paris, after which he plans to retire, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest coaches of all time.

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