A first hiccup following a clear round. Undefeated so far (4 wins), the French team lost to Iceland in their second match of the main round of the Euro in Budapest (Hungary). In isolation following being hit by the Covid, coach Guillaume Gille had to boil in his hotel room in front of his team’s totally failed performance. A little earlier in the day, Kentin Mahé, had also tested positive for Covid, joining Karl Konan (Covid) and Ludovic Fabregas (sick) in the absentees.
With the Parisian Mathieu Grébille, who arrived in the night, as reinforcements, the French lacked both imagination and impact. They also came across an Icelandic team, yet decimated by the Covid (8 absent), magnificent in generosity and combativeness despite their lack of possibility of making changes. In goal, Viktor Hallgrimsson, who will join Nantes next season, disgusted the French team – (15 saves in total) while Omar Magnusson put on a show (8 out of 10 on shots in the first period). Under these conditions, the score quickly climbed (10-17 at the break with a maximum difference of – 8 goals).
“In all sectors, we were not there”
The expected revolt did not take place in the second half. France continued to miss almost everything and the Icelanders never let go of their grip. Twelve minutes from the end, Iceland even took a 9-goal lead (16-25) and finally won (21-29). Without imagination and without aggressiveness, the Olympic champion of Tokyo experienced a shipwreck.
“It’s a crushing blow, admits Nicolas Tournat. In all areas of the game, we weren’t there. We were absent in the fight, insufficient in the commitment. They ate us in the 1 once morest 1 in attacks. In defense, we have gone too far. They beat us in the engagement. You will soon have to remobilize. »
The French will have to win once morest Montenegro and Denmark to hope to be in the semi-finals. “It’s a huge underperformance, regrets captain Valentin Porte. We took quite a slap… We had however targeted their game in attack and we can see that Magnusson put us in misery. We never found the solution. We rushed. Absentees are the lot of all teams. There are two games left. We must remain united, united and react as a team. »
