Paris (AFP)
French handball players started qualifying for Euro-2020 by crushing Turkey, 38-17, Wednesday in Amiens.
The Blue will play against Iceland on Sunday in Reykjavík a second game counting for these qualifiers, which also looks quiet. On Wednesday, the Nordics were swept by Croatia 29 to 8.
The champions of Europe and the world title should have no trouble getting their ticket by finishing in the first two of their group where the only Croats are able to worry (next March).
It was the first meeting of an extremely dense international season with the World Cup in Japan (November 30 - December 15) and of course the Olympic Games next summer.
The French had some shooting problems in the first half (15-9) against a good goalkeeper then flew away when the locker room came back, with the Turks scarcely able to score.
The coach Olivier Krumbholz was deprived of several holders on injury, including Alexandra Lacrabère and Laura Flippes. He was able to use new players, such as winger Chloé Bouquet and back Marie-Hélène Sajka.
"It took the machine back on the road, we made a very serious match," commented midfielder Allison Pineau at the microphone BeinSports.
© 2019 AFP