It’s a defeat that no one really expected and which is a task, a real task. Swept away by Iceland on Saturday evening (21-29), the Blues of Guillaume Gille experienced their first defeat of the Euro, a defeat which might cost them dearly. Because if technically the France team still has its destiny in its hands, it will need a small miracle or a lot of talent to reach the semi-final on Friday. To summarize the situation by trying to make it as simple as possible despite the very complicated rules of the EHF, if they want to be sure of reaching the semi-finals, the Blues must win in their last matches, once morest the Montenegro and Denmark, beating the latter by at least seven goals.
In detail, France is now third in group 1 of the main round behind Denmark, undefeated so far, and Iceland, only beaten by the Scandinavians. In this group of six, only the first two teams are qualified for the semi-finals.
Denmark: 6 points (+4 special goal difference)
Iceland: 4 points (+4 special goal difference)
France: 4 points (-8 special goal difference)
Netherlands: 2 points
Montenegro: 2 points
Croatia: 0 points
To pass in front of Iceland, which dominates France in particular goal average, France can above all hope for a misstep from the latter in its last two games, once morest the weakest Croatia and Montenegro. Two victories in his last two games would then offer him certain qualification.
If Iceland does not stumble, then it will take very favorable circumstances for the Blues. Either an improbable defeat for Denmark once morest the Netherlands on Monday, or a victory for the Blues over the Olympic vice-champion by more than six goals, which would then allow the Blues to get ahead of the Danes in a goal average of 3 between Iceland, Denmark and France, who would then be tied with six points and one loss each.
Indeed, it is the particular goal difference in each of the matches between the tied teams that serves to decide between them. By bowing very heavily once morest Iceland, the Blues have therefore largely compromised their chances of qualification, which Nikola Karabatic also recognized following the meeting. “Given the broth we’re taking, we didn’t manage to play goal average, we even conceded a goal at the end, he explains to the team. Everything went wrong. I haven’t done the calculations yet but we will have to fight. We had to deal with a team from Iceland who played the best game in their competition and we the worst. We are back to the wall, no more jokers, we have to win the last two matches if we want to go to the semi-finals. Raise your head and show another face. »
