Les Bleues, between serenity and attack to be perfected
If the start of this Spanish World Cup saw the France team win their matches without a hitch (with victories of eleven goals against Slovenia, ten goals against Angola and Poland), the opposition against Serbia, on Saturday December 11, was a turning point. At the end of this indecisive meeting of the main round, the Blue beat the Serbs, 22-19.
During this match, the Olympic champions struggled to adjust the sights at long distance (9 meters). “We are capable of it, but there is a bit of tension when it comes time to shoot, because the France team has a status to maintain. There is a lot of waiting around us ”, explained Olivier Krumbholz, the coach, after this essential victory.
After this victory torn off with the guts and decisive stops of their goalkeeper Cleopatra Darleux, the Habs left Russia no chance. Four months after their double confrontation at the Tokyo Olympics – in the main round and in the semi-finals – this one-sided reunion allowed the France team to secure first place in the group. Thanks to this victory (33-26), the Blue were able to avoid facing the Norwegians, favorites of this World Cup, from the quarter-finals.
But the French are still wary of the Swedes who stand in their way this evening: “It promises to be electric”, predicted Allison Pineau before this game. “The last two games against them have been difficult. It is a team with full confidence. It likes to play fast, it overflows a lot, it is physically strong, it has an impact and it runs a lot. Everything we love. It promises to be difficult. But we will prepare well for this match. Today Sweden is one of the best teams. “