France to face Norway in women's final after Sweden, Denmark lose semis

Defending champions France squeezed past Sweden with a nail-biting 31-28 overtime victory on Thursday to reach the final of the women's Olympic handball tournament, while Norway beat Denmark 25-21, earning the right to battle the hosts for gold.

The 2023 world champions rallied from a four-goal deficit in the second half and turned the screw in extra time at the Pierre Mauroy stadium as Sweden, chasing their first women's Olympic medal in the discipline, lost their composure.

"At some point, we didn't know if we were going to make it or not, but we gave everything," said French left back Estelle Nze Minko, who scored seven goals during the game.

France were down 21-17 with 15 minutes left, but managed to claw back and cement their unbeaten streak in the tournament so far with a three-point lead.

Centre back Tamara Horacek poured in eight points, including the crucial goal that tied the score with Sweden to take the game into overtime.

Les Bleues stayed on court to dance and sing "We're in the finals" in French to thunderous applause.

"I don't know if these are the best Olympics - the best Olympics are where you win, not the ones where you were unbeaten. From now, we cannot lose," Nze Minko added.

Later on Thursday, world championship runners-up Norway beat Denmark by building up and holding onto an early lead.

With six minutes left on the clock the Norsewomen led 23-17, and despite a last-minute rally the Danes were unable to close the gap.

On Saturday France and Norway will tussle for gold, while Sweden and Denmark battle it out for bronze.