Great Britain women's handball team's Olympic journey came to an end with a defeat to Croatia, but winger Kelsi Fairbrother believes it has been mission accomplished during the Games.
Jesper Holmris' side have had a torrid time on court over the past eight days, losing all five of their preliminary group matches, but they have more than played their part in spreading the handball word around Britain.
Their results have not been unexpected, having only formed six years ago, and their main target coming into London 2012 was to leave a lasting legacy.
With the Copper Box packed out to rafters for every match, with handball newcomers raving about the sport, and a surge of interest in local clubs around the UK, they have delivered on that front.
And with members of the squad living life in the spotlight and getting introduced to royalty, Fairbrother, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Sunday, has had the time of her life.
"It's been a great experience," she told Press Association Sport. "It's really hard to remember, when we have lost by that many goals, actually how well we have done.
"These teams that are here have qualified in the hardest ways possible through the World Championship and European Championship. These are the best of the best.
"It has been so special, every time we have played it has been a fantastic atmosphere and I am so pleased that people are sitting up and taking notice.
"The people that have been to support us have amazing, we've met dame Kelly Holmes, Kate Middleton and Prince William and they've all shown a real interest in handball. The most important thing was that we were here and we managed to get the attention of our nation and that is really what we wanted.
"I hope people will now go out and try the sport and I hope we get the funding we need to move on and take the next step. There have been coaches of other nations that have seen us and told us to just be patient and we will get there."