RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The three-peat is officially off for Norway in women's handball.
Widely considered the world's best team, Norway's charge for a third consecutive Olympic gold ended abruptly in the semifinals Thursday with a 38-37 loss to Russia in extra time after a thrilling and bruising game.
"I don't have the words because when I think about the game I want to cry," said Vladlena Bobrovnikova, Russia's top scorer with eight goals, sporting bruises and a long red cut across her nose. "I don't feel the pain, I feel so happy because we have the final.