This Monday morning, the situation of France in this Euro appeared problematic. Saturday’s rout once morest the Icelanders (21-29) had suddenly blackened a sky that had been blue until now. And then the sun came back in two stages: at the beginning of the followingnoon with the Croatian victory once morest these same Icelanders, courageous but physically exhausted (23-22). And in the evening with a very solid and convincing French victory once morest Montenegro (36-27), who might nevertheless dream of the last four in the event of success.
The first period was nevertheless quite symptomatic of a team that doubted, but also really wanted to bounce back. Like a Dika Mem who was quick to demonstrate that his pale copy once morest the Icelanders was not going to happen twice in a row. Suddenly, the Blues stood out with the score (10-7) and the expulsion of the Montenegrin captain Vasko Sevaljevic on a hand in the face of Nikola Karabatic was likely to make French supporters optimistic. But paradoxically, this was the moment chosen by Montenegro to rebel and reverse the trend. On score (11-11, 22e), but also to the number of red cards since Vincent Gérard also returned to the locker room earlier than expected following his hazardous exit on a long counter-attack ball where he had the misfortune to brush once morest the opposing striker.
Suddenly multiplying the ball losses following twenty very clean minutes, France seemed in an unfortunate position but Melvyn Richardson put them back on the right track with two goals in quick succession. And the Blues finished this first act very strongly to lead by four lengths at the break (16-12). An almost unexpected advantage. Without knowing it, moreover, the Olympic champions had just done the hardest part because the second period was only going to be a formality once morest the Montenegrins lacking bench depth to really push them to their limits (36- 27). A clear victory which allows the blue heads to be put right side up, and which gives them back the keys to their destiny: a success or a draw on Wednesday (8.30 p.m.) once morest Denmark and the semi-finals will be assured. Unless Iceland bows beforehand once morest Montenegro, which would qualify the Blues before they even play. In other words, everything is better now…