Euro women's handball: 3 things to know before France-Russia

This is the first big duel for the Blue at the Euro, the one that can allow them to reach the last four of the competition if successful.

For that, it will be necessary to dominate this Friday (6.15 p.m.) Russia which shares the first place of group 1 with France.

A turning point in more than one way

France and Russia dream of a place in the semi-finals, for three reasons.

The first is that a success would allow one of the nations to gain an advantage over the other, which can prove important in the event of future reunions a little further in the competition.

The second is that a victory would give some players breath in the third and final match of this main round, next Tuesday.

The third mainly concerns the loser of this Friday (if there is one), who will absolutely have to win at a last meeting to see further.

Russia in search of revenge

She reigned in women's handball for ten years, winning four world titles in the first decade of this century.

Her victory in the 2016 Games final undoubtedly still resonates in the minds of the seven players of the France team, present in Rio one afternoon in August.

Since then, Russia has won nothing while the Blue climbed to the top of the World in 2017, then to that of Europe the following year.

Two years ago, the Russians first dominated the group in the opening match against Krumbholz, who were playing at home.

The final then smiled on Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic and his partners.

A rhythm of hell

After the preliminary round, where France and Russia each finished at the top of their group with plenty of victories, it was agreed in the schedule that the two teams meet this Friday for their first match of the main round.

What they did not know was that Norway and Denmark, co-organizers at the start (before Norway's withdrawal in mid-November) had the possibility of benefiting from a modified program, no matter what.

Consequence: while the Danes and Norwegians have two days to rest, the two opponents of this Friday night have two meetings in 24 hours, and even less for the Blue, deprived of Cleopatra Darleux, hit in the face during the success (26-25 ) against Spain on Thursday.

Laura Glauser will keep the goals of the Habs.