The French women's handball team, led by its new coach Sébastien Gardillou, lost against Spain (27-28) Friday in Saint-Chamond (Loire), less than a week before the Euro ( November 28-December 15).
Facing the Spanish, whom they had notably beaten during the Olympic Games, the French, silver medalists in Paris, were overthrown in the second half while leading by two goals at the break (15-13). They lost for the second time since the start of the Gardillou era, who succeeded the emblematic Olivier Krumbholz at the head of the Bleues.
“Spain showed more desire, more anger than us,” noted captain Estelle Nze Minko after the defeat. It is essential to learn lessons from this match. It started with defense. We let ourselves be fooled by the start of the match because Laura (Glauser, the goalkeeper) made a lot of saves. We have work to do. »
Sunday, in this same hall in Saint-Chamond, near Saint-Étienne, the French will face Angola at 7 p.m. for a final dress rehearsal before the Euro, which will be contested between Switzerland, Hungary and Austria. In Basel, the French will begin the competition against Poland on November 28.
