The Blues are not there yet but they got closer to the semi-finals of the Euro by clearly beating the Netherlands this Thursday in Budapest. Winners (34-24), the Olympic champions have perfectly started the second phase and the main round of the European Championship which will also see them meet Iceland on Saturday (6 p.m.), Montenegro on Monday (8:30 p.m.) and the world champions Danish Wednesday (8:30 p.m.). At the end of this round, the first two of the group will be in the last four and yes, France is on track to be there. The Blues, in case of victory against the Icelanders and Montenegrins, will have their ticket even before facing their old Danish enemies for a revenge of the last Olympic final.
The first France – Netherlands for 28 years
Revenge with the Netherlands, there was no question. The last time France and the Netherlands met in the land of the little sticky ball, the majority of the Blues had not yet been born. We are talking about those who are today under 28 years old because the last confrontation with the Oranje dates back to the spring of 1994, in the last century therefore. At that time, France had not even won its first world title (1995). Suffice to say that it really goes up. World champion in 2019 with his daughters, the other cheese country is not a stronghold of men’s handball. Before this Euro, the Netherlands had only participated in the World Cup… 1961 and Euro 2020 (17th).
But that’s starting to change. Fallout of the host country of the Euro, Hungary, in the preliminary round, the Dutch managed a surprising start to the tournament. The Blues this Thursday evening therefore had every reason to be wary of an opponent who until then had been completely unknown to them. With one exception: the Dutch master plays at PSG after passing through Massy or Toulouse. He is the shortest (1m72) player in the French Championship and his name is Luc Steins. But the small moped and center half of PSG arrived in the capital at the end of 2020 to compensate for the long injury of Nikola Karabatic could not do much in front of the power of the Olympic champions. The Blues first had the good idea to make the hole right away (5-1, 6th; 9-4, 13th) so as not to let the Oranje who were playing in blue think that the feat was possible. Even if they came back (10-9, 17th), the Dutch went to rest in the locker room three goals down (15-12). “With Ludo (Fabregas), we were good. It’s encouraging. I feel better and better in defense, we are also on a device where we are more compact, it protects us a little more. It’s easier to defend so it’s working quite well for the moment,” rejoices Nicolas Tournat. “This match is a real satisfaction, notes Vincent Gérard. With my saves, I’m happy to have been able to help the team. We conceded 24 goals, there is necessarily something to be happy about. It’s obviously easier to win in these conditions. It is true that we have reorganized the defense, but I am used to saying that no one is irreplaceable. It’s no use dwelling on that, we have to move on. Nikola (Karabatic) has qualities that Karl (Konan) does not have and vice versa, there are adaptations but we see tonight that we are full of resources.
The task for Guillaume Gille’s players during the last 30 minutes was therefore simple on paper: to maintain at least this lead without being scared or finishing the match with an injured player. Remember that the Blues are already deprived of their Covid-positive left-back Karl Konan at least until the match against Montenegro. By the way, the virus is also causing misery for the Dutch who have had to recall their goalkeeper coach, Gerrie Eijlers, 41 years old and retired for 18 months, to compensate for the positive case of one of the usual goalkeepers Dennis Schellekens.
For the French in any case, mission accomplished. The Blues even continued to increase their lead (17-12, 34th). Vincent Gérard double-locked his cage, Nikola Karabatic showed his muscles, Dylan Nahi his vista, Ludovic Fabregas his power, Melvyn Richardson his determination and Aymeric Minne (top scorer with 8 goals) his desire to shine. Under these conditions, it’s complicated for a more modest opponent not to suffocate. By force, the Dutch ended up cracking (26-18, 45th) and even sinking body and soul (31-20, 53rd) before losing logically (34-24). “I’m happy with my performance but it’s also a game where we lead by 10 goals so it was easier to be released. Now that should give me confidence for the future, ”analyzed Nantes player Aymeric Minne after the meeting.
After a week of competition and four games, the Blues are still undefeated. They will try to remain so on Saturday late afternoon against Iceland, continuing to give the impression of gaining momentum.
