The French handball players, carried by their left winger Chloé Bouquet (6 goals), outclassed the Montenegrins (29-13), Thursday in Horsens (Denmark), for their first friendly match since their elimination in the 1st round of the 2019 World Cup in Japan in December.
In this Golden League played in Denmark, a friendly tournament which serves as a preparation for Euro 2020 scheduled for December 3 to 20 in Denmark, Olivier Krumbholz's players will face off against Norway at Randers on Saturday, and on Sunday in Denmark at Viborg.
"Even if there was a little waste, we dominated the climb of the ball, it is important because it is a leitmotif for us"
Olivier Krumbholz
The teammates of Siraba Dembele, captain back in the France team after a maternity break, had a very successful first period, with a shooting success of nearly 75%, a well-established defense and Cléopatre Darleux impassable (six saves in a half hour).
The copy was a little more muddled at the start of the second half, pushing the coach to put his two time-outs a little earlier and reframe the game of the Blue.
“Tonight, there was some good, some very good and a little more awkwardness.
I remember that the will is there.
In this kind of match, you have to look especially on the positive side.
I did a lot of touring, it's necessary because the season will be long, ”said Olivier Krumbholz after the meeting.
The lead of 9 goals at the break (15-6) was clearly amplified, in particular thanks to the parades of Roxanne Frank, who perfectly assisted Darleux in the goals with ten saves.
The reigning European champions hampered the flow of the ball to Montenegro, scoring more than half of their goals (16) in counterattack and fast play.
“Our goalies were also efficient.
Even if there was a bit of waste, we dominated the climb of the ball, it is important because it is a leitmotif for us, ”added the coach.
Montenegro is one of three teams France will face in two months in the Euro-2020 preliminary round in Herning, along with Denmark and Slovenia.
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