A big leap into the unknown.
Since its resounding failure a year ago at the World Championship in Japan, finished in an anonymous 13th place and far from its ambitions, the France team has hardly played a match, if not a stage of Golden League last October.
Even in preparation, the daughters of Olivier Krumbholz could not measure up to any adversity.
Never seen before a major international competition.
But due to the Covid-19 epidemic, this whole year 2020 will have been unheard of.
And the Euro, organized only by Denmark after Norway's withdrawal a few weeks ago, will be the first international tournament for indoor team sports in times of a pandemic.
A recovery which, inevitably, leaves room for countless questions.
Especially with regard to the France team, ambitious but fragile title holder.
"If we fall into the same trap, if we are in the same conditions and the same state of mind, we can be in difficulty again."
Olivier Krumbholz
With the postponement of the Beijing Games to next summer because of the coronavirus, Olivier Krumbholz's daughters find themselves in the same situation as before the 2019 World Cup: namely with a title to defend a few months from a deadline Olympic which is the dream of all French handball because it is the only gold medal still missing from its fantastic record.
"It's the same situation, but having taken a slap and having missed a competition", underlines the coach of the France team, who expects a reaction from his major players (Estelle Nzé-Minko, Grâce Zaadi, Béatrice Edwige) who had failed in Japan.
“I think anyone tries to never make the same mistake twice.
If we fall into the same trap, if we are in the same conditions and the same state of mind, we can be in difficulty again. "
A year ago, the Bleues had let themselves be lulled by "the illusion of strong motivation", according to the Moselle technician, as they came out of a euphoric period of two consecutive titles - World Cup 2017 and Euro 2018 - with the key to an Olympic qualification.
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The elimination came to a halt after four consecutive international podiums (silver at the 2016 Olympics, bronze at Euro 2016, gold at the 2017 World Cup and Euro 2018), which had given the impression of a machine unstoppable.
“We are not allowed to make mistakes on the investment and the means, otherwise we will lose.
This is also the lesson: we are not above others in the international context.
No one is.
What we want to do is take our place in the top four ”, announces Krumbholz.
On the way back to the international podiums, captain Siraba Dembélé's teammates, back after having had a child, will have to extricate themselves from a particularly complicated part of the table.
In the first round, they will begin this Friday (6.15 p.m.) against Montenegro in full reconstruction around the young Djurdjina Jaukovic, then they will continue against the Slovenes (Sunday December 6, 6.15 p.m.) and end against the Danish hosts (Tuesday December 8, 8.30 p.m. ).
A route that promises to be successful
“It's a strong group, already warns Krumbholz.
Slovenia arrives strengthened.
We have the organizing country.
You can imagine that there will be a huge desire for this country and for the girls to demonstrate that all the efforts that have been made to organize the competition are not in vain.
There is going to be a general push for Denmark to make it work.
Finally, for Montenegro, one or two important girls are missing.
But it's a team that plays handball well and has nothing to lose, that's for sure. ”
And if the Blue take one of the first three places, the main round also promises to be very tough since they should cross paths with the Russians, 2018 European vice-champions and 2016 Olympic champions, the Spanish, vice-champions. of the 2019 world, and the Swedes, who had barred them access to the main round of the 2019 World Cup.
A young guard in power?
A hell of a challenge for "a jealous and admired French team" according to the coach.
"We will be the target again this time around because we remain 2017 world champions and 2018 Europe champions, with a strong squad and players who shine in the Champions League."
Whether in Brest or Metz, but also in other formations of the European elite.
Despite the absence of Allison Pineau and Manon Houette, the Bleues seem sufficiently armed at each post to return to the top.
Provided also that the young guard (Méline Nocandy, Océane Sercien-Ugolin…) take their responsibilities, as recalled by a confident Krumbholz: “It is up to the players to demonstrate, nature being afraid of heights, that the young people will replace the old with so many skills and why not even more.
We can see very well young players who are progressing.
Quite honestly, we are not lacking in potential in the France team. "
A potential that should therefore be expressed this Friday against Montenegro to start the competition on the right foot, which has not always been the case in the past for the French women.
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