Olympics-Handball-ROC, Sweden book quarter-final berths, Norway stay unbeaten

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Handball - Women - Group B - Russian Olympic Committee v France - Yoyogi National Stadium - Tokyo, Japan - July 31, 2021. Anna Sedoykina of the Russian Olympic Committee saves a shot taken by Estelle Nze Minko of France REUTERS/Leah Millis

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Russian Olympic Committee breathed life into their handball title defence by beating France 28-27 in a rematch of their Rio 2016 final clash to reach the quarter-finals of the women's competition on Saturday, while Sweden progressed in style.

Ekaterina Ilina scored nine goals from as many shots as the Russians - competing as representatives of the ROC without their flag due to doping sanctions - held their nerve to make it five points from four games ahead of their clash with Spain.