“You have to look at the opponent in all honesty.
We are favorites and we will approach this match with great ambition but also with humility. ”
Before challenging a novice Croatian formation in a last four of a major international competition, Olivier Krumbholz, the coach of the France team, had the merit of not hiding.
Yes, his daughters were overwhelmingly favored by the odds and it was up to them to show that they weren't just favorites on paper.
A mission perfectly fulfilled by the Blues who literally knocked out their opponents from the first act of a one-way semi-final ...
5 goals conceded in just 30 minutes
However, the start of the match had raised fears of a more complicated scenario for the title holders.
From the outset, the Croats imposed their tempo, very slow in attack, bordering on refusal of play, but which allowed them to take the lead (2-3, 8th).
But this slight domination was not going to last long.
Faithful to its habit, the blue defense was putting itself in order of battle, Amandine Leynaud began to make the opposing wingers doubt and France inflicted a terrible 9-0 in twelve minutes on Croats who did not know which way to turn (11 -3, 20th).
Especially since success was not on their side with a post here, a cross there to complete the magnificent work of Leynaud and his defense.
And as in attack Kalidiatou Niakaté was in a great day (4 goals on 5 shots in the first period), the Blue had almost extinguished all suspense from the break (15-5).
Croats overwhelmed
Nevertheless, the Croats, with pride, tried to make doubt of the French who were wrong to attack the second period in reverse by suffering a 4-1 in five minutes (16-9).
But it took more than that to hope to accomplish a "remount".
Cleverly, Krumbholz put down a time-out and put his team in the right direction.
The reaction was not long in coming, under the leadership of the inevitable Estelle Nze Minko (20-12, 41st).
From then on, the Croats understood that there would be no miracle this Friday in Herning and the last quarter of an hour was going to take place in a perfectly serene way, thanks in particular to the parades of Cleopatra Darleux.
And for the honor, the Blue made a point of honor to also win this second period (15-14, for a final score of 30-19) to qualify for a final which will oppose them, Sunday (6:00 p.m.), to Norway or Denmark.
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