TOPS
Karl Konan and the defense are present
Highly anticipated due to the absence of Luka Karabatic through injury, Karl Konan did not miss his debut in a major international competition.
At 26, the player from Pays d'Aix, a recognized defensive specialist in the French championship, has shown that he has the international level.
Like an old veteran, he knew not to take a penalty for two minutes, despite the power of the Croatian pivot Sipic.
And behind, Vincent Gérard put behind him the family drama that hit him in preparation to immerse himself in a competition that will not erase anything for him, but which, with each parade, allows him to think of something else.
And parades, the last rampart did a lot this Thursday evening (14 to 41%).
Dika Mem well developed
The man of the early period.
Whether first or second, the Barcelona right-back has always been able to put his partners on the right track.
By leaving at times an impression of fluidity and disconcerting ease.
Especially for the Dalmatian defense, struggling to find a solution to the inspirations of the French.
In the end, the latter fully deserves his title of player of the match with his 6 out of 7 shooting.
Effective wingers
On the heels of his magnificent Tokyo Olympics last summer, Hugo Descat fully assumes his status as holder of the position on the left wing after the retirement of Michaël Guigou.
And on the right, between the retirement of Luc Abalo and the return in extremis of Valentin Porte after his positive test for Covid, Yannis Lenne and Benoit Kounkoud took their responsibilities, the first even scoring an exceptional goal at the start of the match.
Even if they will now have to confirm, the French wingers reassured against Croatia and demonstrated that even without its two retired Experts, the position remained well filled.
FLOPS
A French bench inside
If France could not stand out more clearly in the first period and let Croatia come back to two lengths (13-11), it is undoubtedly because of the difficulties encountered by some.
In particular the Nicolas Tournat-Romain Lagarde tandem, jointly author of a 0 out of 3 in shooting and two bullet losses during the first act.
A disappointing performance from two players who now have undeniable international experience and who have already proven in the past their ability to offer interesting rotations to Guillaume Gille.
Which was not the case this Thursday.
An observation also valid for a very discreet Melvyn Richardson.
To go far, France will need its three assets off the bench.
The Croatian crack
Tossed about in the first period, and again on the restart, Croatia had been able to turn their backs to stay in the game with a quarter of an hour to go with only two lengths behind (21-19). It is therefore particularly regrettable for them to have lost everything for the space of thirty seconds of complete freakout. Like a Mandic author of a real attack, fists forward on the face of Kentin Mahé and logically expelled. In triple numerical inferiority, which is extremely rare, the Croats conceded two goals and especially did not score, losing the thread of their beautiful resistance. Regrettable also the throwing of bottles on the floor, even if, in times of Covid, it is allowed to rejoice in a match in such an atmosphere and with well-filled stands. A little flavor ofpre-pandemic, in its good and bad sides.
