Olympic vice-champions in Paris this summer and reigning world champions, the Tricolores knew perfectly well, starting their European Championship, what their status was in the competition: largely favorites with Norway, their executioner in the final of the Games.
Of course, since this Olympic final, a major change has taken place among the Blues: their coach, Sébastien Gardillou. Assistant since 2016, the native of Périgueux took over from his mentor Olivier Krumbholz, who retired after a last Olympic medal. The new coach had the intelligence not to start from a blank page and continued by recalling 15 of the 17 players who participated in the Olympics.
And to avoid any doubt, the best thing is of course to make a successful start. Facing Poland, the French knew the importance of a successful start. And they immediately kicked into high gear: 4-1 then 9-3, Sébastien Gardillou's daughters did not let any doubts creep onto the Swiss floor of Basel. Then all that was left to do was to unfold quietly. The new coach taking the first official timeout of his new career after 25 minutes to fine-tune a few adjustments.
At the break, everything was going well for France with an eight-goal lead (18-10). “There’s no way we’re going to relax at the start of the second half, girls,” urged captain Estelle Nze Minko when it was time to restart. Message received with a 3-0 offering, after five minutes in the second half, an eleven goal lead (21-10). Then all that was left was to manage calmly without drawing on your strength for the rest of the competition. And finish with thirteen goals in advance (35-22).
After this first success without trembling, France will face Spain on Saturday (6 p.m.) to seal its qualification for the next round. Here again, she will be the favorite.
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