The Blues are still alive. Since their incomprehensible rout against Iceland on Saturday, their chances of qualifying for the semi-final are certainly still as uncertain. But they exist, thanks to the success (36-27) of this Monday against Montenegro, as well as the setback a little earlier in the day of their Icelandic executioners against Croatia (22-23). A draw is now enough for the Olympic champions on Wednesday against the Danish world champions to accompany the latter in the last four.
Strange day for Guillaume Gille’s players, declared positive last Friday and still in solitary confinement. Since this disastrous Saturday, the staff led by Erick Mathé, his deputy, had to work to resuscitate a group that came out stunned from their non-match against Iceland. The first good news came from the return of Ludovic Fabregas to a defense that had taken on water. Flu, the Barcelonnais resumed training on Sunday. Karl Konan, also positive, also had his back-to-school voucher. But not Dylan Nahi, sick in turn.
And then there was this good surprise at the end of the afternoon with the victory of Croatia against Iceland, which removed a beautiful thorn from the side of the French. They have seen their horizon brighten again. One would have thought the Croats reluctant to help the Habs after the TQO last March. In Montpellier, the Blues emerged victorious (30-26), at the same time depriving the double Olympic champions (1996 and 2004) of the Tokyo Games. The rest, we know it: France left Japan with gold around its neck.
A funny challenge against the Dane
It remained to put in writing on the ground what was assumed on paper. because even if Montenegro never beat France, the Balkan players still finished 2nd in their group behind Denmark. Zoran Roganović’s team has two lethal weapons: Branko Vujovic (5th top scorer in the competition), and especially Nebojsa Simic in the cage. After twenty minutes, the whimsical porter has already released eight saves and Montenegro sticks to the score (11-11).
Then comes what may be the turning point of the match. On an outing from his zone, Vincent Gérard commits irreparable harm on an opposing striker and is in turn disqualified, a few minutes after the Montenegrin captain. It is therefore Wesley Pardin who has the heavy task of succeeding the PSG goalkeeper, so precious during the first matches of the preliminary round.
A year ago, the Martiniquais had been the revelation of the start of the Mondial des Bleus, before suffering a rupture of a cruciate ligament against Switzerland. Back from hell, he says he is “changed” by this experience and recognizes that he has “a huge chance to be there”. Montenegro did not score for 8 minutes and at the break, France widened the gap (16-12). She accentuates it on the return from the locker room against an outdated defense.
This Wednesday (8:30 p.m.), the gang at Niko Karabatic will only need a draw to stay this weekend in Budapest. However, she knows that Denmark will not have the slightest reason to give her hope. Already qualified after their demonstration (35-23) at the start of the evening against the Netherlands, the reigning world champions have a golden opportunity to perhaps dismiss those who beat them in the final of the Olympics. The Blues have not finished sweating.