France rugby sevens raises expectations for home Olympics after its first world series win

MADRID (AP) — High expectations on the France rugby sevens side for its Paris home Olympics were elevated after it won its first world series title in Madrid on Sunday.

The men outmuscled Argentina in the final 19-5 after the women were runner-up to Australia 26-7 at Metropolitano Stadium.

Since the world series began in 1999, France had never finished in the top four until last year. This season, it won the Los Angeles leg in March for its first tournament victory in 19 years.

France came to the series finale in Madrid ranked fifth but beat defending series champion New Zealand in the semifinals and avenged a pool loss to Argentina, which led most of this series and reached the Madrid final unbeaten.

“The next tournament in Paris will be another story so we’ll take the pleasure now,” men’s coach Jerome Daret said. “When you’re on top of the wave, you have to be hard on your mindset. I’m very proud of the team, they never gave up, big heart. But it’s no