Les Bleues clinch a third success on the wire and finish first in their group at the World Handball Championship

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After their victories against Angola (30-20) and Slovenia (29-18), the Blue were already qualified for the main round of the World Cup. The Olympic champions won, not without difficulties, a third consecutive success against a team from Montenegro recovered (24-19), Tuesday, December 7, during the 2021 world championship in Granollers (Catalonia). They secured first place in their group and will face in the main round (December 8-13) the first three teams from group B.

But the French took a long time before entering their match being jostled from the first seconds by their opponents. Solid in defense as usual, Olivier Krumbholz’s players thwarted in attack (46% shooting success in the first period), only finding the net after six minutes of play, to return to a goal everywhere . They clashed with a compact Montenegro team, carried by their goalkeeper Marina Rajcic.

It must be said that the atmosphere was very electric. Just before half-time, Montenegrin Tatjana Brnovic received a red card for applauding the referee, feeling aggrieved by one of his decisions. The first period ended under the whistles of the public.

Tied at the break (12-12), Estelle Nze Minko’s teammates were more adroit and realistic on their return to their field. With Cleopatra Darleux in the cages replacing Laura Glauser, they prevented their opponents from finding the way to the net for nine minutes. But the French women continued to make careless mistakes, including two marching in a matter of seconds. They only widened the gap at the very end of the meeting, perfectly managing the money time despite a mostly hostile audience.

With this new success (24-19), the Blue have confirmed their leadership position and will start the main round with four points, enough to be in good shape for a qualification in the quarter-finals.


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