Both teams booed in anticlimactic end to one-sided men's handball final
Updated . First published at
The final gold medal of Paris 2024 was secured in uncomfortable scenes at Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday morning (AEST), with spectators booing both teams featuring in the men's handball final.
As Germany took on reigning Olympic champions Denmark in the gold medal match, the crowd became frustrated when the two sides essentially stopped contesting with time still remaining in the second half.
Denmark had dominated the match and led 39-26 in the closing stages, so the outcome was essentially tied up with the Danes to win their second gold medal of the Games.
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But with minutes remaining, Germany started passively passing the ball among themselves as Denmark stopped applying any pressure — the Germans accepting that gold was too far out of reach.
Players in the men's handball gold medal match wrap up the game before the final buzzer. Nine
Denmark's substitute players and coaches began hugging and high-fiving on the sideline, as several German and Denmark players shared embraces and handshakes on the court.
This triggered a chorus of boos from spectators, many neutral fans, as Denmark players began their celebration before the final buzzer sounded.
Denmark is the first team to score 30 goals in a men's handball final since Seoul 1988.
All the best moments from the Paris 2024 closing ceremony in pictures
All the best moments from the Paris 2024 closing ceremony in pictures
The team's 39 goals also marked the most-ever goals scored in an Olympic final and the largest winning margin.
The half time goal difference of nine was also the greatest in Olympic history.
On Saturday, the home crowd had plenty to cheer about in the women's final as France went down to Norway in a tight 29-21 battle.
