Paris (AFP)

The French handballers crushed Serbia, 40 to 26, Friday in Metz, in the first of their two preparation games for the Euro which begins in a week in Norway.

The opponent was certainly not of the level of those who will aim for the title, and the ticket for the Tokyo Games that goes with it, in Scandinavia, but the Blues have already shown a good shape at the Arena.

France, which has not won a major title since the 2017 World Cup, will complete its run-in against Denmark, the reigning Olympic and world champion, Sunday at Paris-Bercy.

The first Euro match will oppose him in Portugal next Friday in Trondheim.

"It was a beautiful evening. The players were applied and put the necessary commitment. But we have to put things into perspective. It's nice to have been able to rotate and put the players in rhythm. Sunday will be another level, "said coach Didier Dinart at the BeinSports microphone.

The French immediately made the difference by offering counter-attacks thanks to a solid defense. Luc Abalo had a great time scoring six goals (seven late in the game), before returning to the locker room with a score of 22-13.

Nikola Karabatic has shown that he has returned to an excellent level (as in a club with PSG) after his 2018 season disrupted by a foot operation. The young Elohim Prandi, a newcomer to the France team, gave a good overview of his attacking talent.

In the second period, Didier Dinart brought in the Chambérien Yann Genty, who is fighting with Aixois Wesley Pardin for the second place behind Vincent Gérard. He scored points by making 8 saves. His competitor will probably have a chance on Sunday before choosing the coach on Monday.

The Blues maintained the gap thanks to the activity of the Parisian Nedim Remili (5 goals), completely recovered from his sprain of the fall (five weeks off), and the Montpellier Valentin Porte (5 goals).

"It was solid, it is true that we did not come across a very beautiful team from Serbia. Everything is not perfect but it already looks like something. Sunday we will be able to better gauge ourselves," commented Porte, who has passed the 300 goal mark in blue.

© 2020 AFP