Paris (AFP)
So far, all is well: France's men's and women's rugby sevens teams have negotiated perfectly on Saturday the first day of their Olympic qualifying tournament, qualified for the quarter-finals on Sunday, after a clear fault.
The Blues won all three of their matches in Kazan (Russia) against a weak opposition (54-0 against Moldova, 40-0 against Italy and 31-5 against Poland) to finish first in Pool A with 19 tries scored against a cashed, and a difference of points of +120.
They will face Sunday (09:00 French) in the quarter-final Romania, second best third, before the program is bent on the title road, which will offer the only ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Otherwise, they will need (like the men) to finish on the podium to participate in the repechage tournament next year.
In case of success against the Romanian, they will indeed cross in the last square the road to England (which represents Great Britain) or Ireland, two of their main competitors, with Spain and Russia.
This first day was marked by two shocks: Russia beat England (26-5) to win Pool B, and Spain dominated Ireland (19-5) in Pool C.
In Colomiers (Haute-Garonne), the Blues have not finished with the first phase, which will end against Portugal (19h20).
But they are already assured of their qualification after having dominated Hungary (42-0), then a little bit more difficult Italy (34-10).
And with 6 pts and a difference of points largely favorable (+66 against +40) compared to the Portuguese, who have already lost once against Italy (19-12), the French are almost sure to finish first of their hen AT.
The program of the final phase of the women's TQO in Kazan, Sunday (in French hours)
Quarter-finals
(09h00) France - Romania
(09h22) Russia - Italy
(09h44) Spain - Poland
(10h06) England - Ireland
Semifinals
(12h59) France or Romania - England or Ireland
(13h21) Russia or Italy - Spain or Poland
(3:46) Match for 3rd place
(4:11 pm) Final
© 2019 AFP