The gap is deceptive, as the Blues had so much doubt. After their defeat by one point against Spain, the Bleues du handball were able to rectify the situation against Angola in Saint-Étienne, by winning (30-24). Not enough to completely reassure the troops either, as there were so many blunders.
The defeat against the Spanish on Friday shook Sébastien Gardillou’s players. But a tight and aggressive defense against the Angolans allowed the world champions to rediscover the taste of victory, four days before their entry into the European competition against Poland.
Eye-catching Angolans
After Chloé Valentini opened the scoring for her 100th selection, the Blues always led the score in the first half. Thanks to several lobs, like those of Laura Flippes and Sarah Bouktit, the French led the way to reach a lead of up to five goals (25th). But the Angolans, although hampered by the French defense and Hatadou Sako’s seven saves, did not let go of the Olympic vice-champions.
Thanks to several interceptions which allowed them to develop counter-attacks, the French returned to the locker room with a two-goal lead (15-13). The same gap at the same time of the match as against Spain, before a similar scenario to Friday’s match.
Floriane André wakes up Saint-Étienne
Because Angola continued to set its pace at the end of the first act and after returning from the locker room. Until equalizing for the first time in the match in the 34th minute against the somewhat sleepy Blues. It took a lob from Lucie Granier to see the French score their first goal in the second period. But behind, Sako’s too soft hands betray her and push Gardillou to replace her with Floriane André in front of her Saint-Etienne audience.
The meeting then became tense, like the two shocks to the face that Pauletta Foppa received from the opposing defense in two minutes. Two facts of the game which cast doubt in the French heads, led by the Angolans. A seven-meter throw missed by Bouktit (43rd) will confirm the Blues’ fears. Angola will take advantage of the exclusion of Tamara Horacek to pick up the score, notably with a lob from Natalia Fonseca, in a nod to the many scored by their opponents.
But in the money-time, Sébastien Gardillou’s players were able to accelerate when necessary while tightening up a defense that had been suffering since returning from the locker room. Untenable in her cages, Floriane André will even go so far as to score the +4 goal in the 58th minute of play. The +5 and +6 goals will serve as a reminder that when the French women adjust their automatisms, they can do very badly.
