The game against Montenegro was the one Olivier Krumbholz feared the most.
The coach of the France team was right.
For the big debut in Euro 2020, in Herning (Denmark), the Blue suffered until the end to finally win (24-23) an opening match, which had not happened to them for two years.
Like Norway, Germany, Russia and Sweden, also victorious, France assumes its status as favorite.
What you must remember
Clearly, the France team does not like the beginnings of big competitions.
Two years ago, the Habs fell against Russia at the Euro (23-26).
Last year, at the World Cup, the Koreans put them under pressure for the rest of the event (27-29), a real failure.
Faced with the supposedly weakest team in the pool, the Blue took a long time to get into the match.
Awkward, crumbly in defense, they are overwhelmed by the Montenegrin attackers (4-9, 20th).
In five minutes, the balance is restored (9-10) but Montenegro remains in front at the break.
France 24 🇫🇷⚡🇲🇪 23 Montenegro
A successful start, we confirm from Sunday against Slovenia đź’Ş
đź“ş 6:15 p.m. on beIN Sports and TMC #BleuetFier #HandballIsPassion pic.twitter.com/PclDjZwjXL
- France Hand Teams (@FRAHandball) December 4, 2020
The chase continues after the locker room.
The French cling, have several times the opportunity to pick up, but Kalidiatou Niakate and Océane Sercien-Ugolin are lacking in confidence.
Eight minutes from the siren, Aissatou Kouyate finally gives the advantage to his team (21-20).
Chloé Valentini takes care of the job (24-22, 59th).
The Blues are relieved.
The player: Cleopatra Darleux
Krumbholz could have chosen Laura Gloser (who plays for Györ, the European champion) to accompany the indestructible Amandine Leynaud in the tricolor cages.
The Blue coach asked the Brestoise to take responsibility in the second half.
Faced with Jaukovic, his club mate, Cleopatra Darleux pulled out all the stops in a quarter of an hour.
The young mother has won points.
The number: 7
The number of consecutive victories for France against Montenegro.
The latter's last victory over the Blues dates back to the 2012 Olympics. That year, the Balkan team also won the European Championship.
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