It’s much better, thank you! Two days after a very worrying draw against the modest Helvetians (26-26), France found color, enthusiasm and all its ambitions. This bad match is forgotten. Already qualified for the main round before the kick-off and the defeat of the Swiss against North Macedonia (29-27), the Olympic champions beat Germany 33-30. They did it in Berlin, which is no small achievement.
“There we had a huge challenge. We noticed it, it was magnificent and a real treat! »
“We’re not going to get too excited because we still have a long way to go but we have the experience,” rejoices Nikola Karabatic at the microphone of BeIN Sport. We were left with a bitter taste against the Swiss but in this match, it was not France we wanted to see. There, we had a huge challenge. We noticed it, it was magnificent and a real treat! We have things to improve but it’s great. I know it’s my last Euro and playing Germany in Berlin is exciting and I wanted to show that we are better than them. What drives me is passion and I know that we can do better and that we will gain strength. »
So here is the band of captain Luka Karabatic who continues their journey in this Euro. Until then, nothing is normal. Above all, she approaches the second phase from a position of strength. The tournament’s convoluted formula only takes into account points won against the other qualifying group team, Germany. In Cologne from Thursday, France will enter the main round with two points. The Germans, for example, will have zero, which will seriously complicate their journey. This new group of six will include – in addition to Germany – Croatia, Hungary, Iceland and Austria which eliminated Spain. The Blues will face Croatia on Thursday. The first two in this group will qualify for the semi-finals. France is already favorite in this group.
“Our competition is really underway”
As expected, in the cauldron of the Mercedes-Benz Arena 300 meters from the last sections of the Berlin Wall still standing, the duel was boiling hot. It started badly for the French who quickly trailed 4-1 (6th). But the Blues reacted to make up for this initial delay. The game then became tight and tense like a rubber band until the Olympic champions sent two cannonballs in the final seconds of the first period to reach the break with a two-goal lead (17-15). Not enough advance to fall asleep soundly. The Germans obviously did not lower their flag at any time. The Blues continued to lead (24-23, 45th) but the threat remained permanent. “This match was a turning point,” concedes coach Guillaume Gille. Its importance and awareness of the issue was clear. We could be satisfied with our content and our state of mind. This match should give us a lot of desire for the rest of the journey. »
The Germans came back, the French had a little doubt but once again, they came back in front (29-27, 55th). But the bosses, like a very good Nikola Karabatic, man of the match, well helped by Kentin Mahé, Dylan Nahi and Ludovic Fabregas, did the job. They allowed the Blues to win 33-30. This Euro is off to a good start. “Our competition is really underway” summarizes Kentin Mahé.
