Is it to be believed that the absences of Ludovic Fabregas (sick), Karl Konan and Kentin Mahé (positive for Covid-19) disturbed the Blues? In any case, the French were copiously dominated by Iceland (21-29), Saturday January 22, in Budapest. In great difficulty against enterprising Icelanders, Nikola Karabatic’s teammates conceded a first defeat in this Euro. Not yet prohibitive for qualification, it is still a serious booster shot, before finding Montenegro and Denmark for the end of this main round.
Deprived of their coach Guillaume Gille, also positive for Covid-19, the Blues did not find the solution against Iceland. Usually so skilful, they came up against a compact opposing defense, led by Hallgrimsson, his goalkeeper with 44% saves. But without offending the last Icelandic rampart, the French shooters made his job much easier. It was particularly glaring in the first period, with a starving success rate (43%) barely improved in the second act (50%). This scarcity was even pushed to the point of caricature, with six long minutes without scoring (10th to 17th).
Conversely, the cold Icelandic realism made the difference, against a team disoriented by the absence of Konan, usually guarantor of the tricolor defensive stability. Even the excellent Vincent Gérard – assisted by Wesley Pardin – could only shine with parsimony in the cages. As a symbol, French nerves also rocked, like a Mathieu Grébille brushing against the red card (25th). Obviously, the 29 goals conceded on Saturday constitute a record since the start of the Euro.
After four victories to start the Euro, the Blues therefore conceded an embarrassing first defeat. Above all, she points out certain limits of French people in their infancy in construction, where previous meetings were akin to walks of health. It was better that this false note intervene in a match not yet cut, but this large setback against Icelanders absent from the semi-finals of a Euro since 2010 is necessarily messy.
Even more unfortunate, it risks forcing the French to beat the Danish scarecrow on Wednesday. In short, the Tricolores burned a first cartridge and achieved a bad deal from a goal difference point of view. They no longer have the right to make mistakes to reach the last four.