A poor performance which places France on the verge of elimination from the group stage of the World Championships in Doha (Qatar).
After their setback against Greece (11-6) on Sunday, the Blues followed up with a new defeat (11-10) this Tuesday, February 6 against China, after a penalty shootout.
After a bad start (0-2 at the end of the first quarter), the Tricolores managed to get back to level (6-6) at the end of the match thanks to a penalty from Louise Guillet then a huge save from the goalkeeper Mia Rycraw.
But the Chinese were less clumsy than their opponent during the penalty shootout and won a crucial match for qualification.
After two matches, France is in last place in Group B with just one point.
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To reach the round of 16, Theodoros Lorantos' girls will have to achieve the feat of beating Spain, reigning world and European vice-champion, this Thursday at 5 p.m.
A huge challenge.
“We had a good game in defense but not in attack.
We have to work offensively, insists Louise Guillet.
Young people learn from this type of match.
You have to analyze this with a cool head.
It will be very complicated against Spain, but in one match, anything can happen.
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Asked about the ambitions of this team to seek an Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics, the captain of the Bleues once again adopted a positive attitude.
“We have to be ambitious otherwise there is no point in doing at the Olympics.
We are not interested in just participating.
You don't train 25 hours a week to finish 10th at the Games.
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.
We have to rework on the fundamentals to get there.
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As host country, 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.