A miracle was needed to qualify for the round of 16 and it did not happen.
On the verge of elimination after its defeat (11-10) Tuesday against China at the end of a penalty shootout, the French team did not achieve the feat of beating Spain, vice-president. reigning world and European champion, this Thursday during the Worlds in Doha (Qatar).
A month after their good performance at the European Championships in Eindhoven (Netherlands) where they finished 6th (the best result in 30 years), the Blues therefore left these World Championships through the back door by being eliminated from the phase of groups.
Despite a tough first act (7-4 at the break), France took the full brunt of the power of the Spanish in the second half and ultimately lost 14-7.
Theodoros Lorantos' girls finished in last place in group B, counting just one small point, behind Spain (1st), Greece (2nd) and China (3rd).
An obviously very disappointing result after the promises of the Euro.
The French team is already guaranteed to compete in the Paris Olympics (July 26 - August 11).
This will be the first participation of the tricolors since the arrival of women's water polo at the Olympic Games in 2000. The objective of a medal seems improbable even if the captain did not appear defeatist in our columns after the setback against China .
“We have to be ambitious otherwise there is no point in doing the Olympics,” insisted Louise Guillet.
You don't train 25 hours a week to finish 10th at the Olympics.
Afterwards, there may be a trigger tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, in a month or at the Olympics.
Once it clicks, we're going to explode.
» Les Bleues now only have five and a half months to prepare.
The race against time is on.