The title "It's flat for me" resonated in the speakers of the Budapest Arena during the warm-up of the Blues.

And we have to believe that the famous song by Plastic Bertrand must have reached the ears of the French, who continue their faultless in the continental competition, victorious against the Dutch who knew how to annoy Guillaume Gille's men in space half an hour.

"You have to cut their success," advised Hugo Descat the day before, when discussing the successful start of the Euro for the Netherlands, qualified for the first time in the main round of the tournament by offering themselves opponents like Hungary ( 31-28) or Portugal (32-31).

Author of the first two goals for the Blues, the Montpellier winger took his own words literally.

And Guillaume Gille's choice to line up Nicolas Tournat alongside Ludovic Fabregas before kick-off, to compensate for the absence of Karl Konan positive for Covid-19, paid off at the start of the match.

The "success" was on the side of the Blues, who then inflicted a severe 5-0 in five minutes, ideal to embark on the meeting.

Gérard assures, Minne rejoices

Five is also the number of exclusions collected by the teammates of Valentin Porte during a first period which gradually saw the Oranje return, thanks in particular to Kay Smits, current top scorer in the Euro (3 goals in the first period) and the good opposing defense, symbolized by the precious saves of Bart Ravensbergen.

But on the other side, there is Vincent Gérard, once again impeccable to allow the Blues to pass in front at the break (15-12), like his foot stop in front of the same Luc Steins, or d a penalty save against Smits.

Rebelote in the second half, with an even more spectacular save on a kung fu from the PSG player.

Coming back strong in the second half, the Blues regained control of the game and unfolded, thanks in particular to the great form of Aymeric Minne, author of 8 goals.

Aymeric Minne, a great architect of the success of the Blues, fires a shot in front of the Netherlands goal in Budapest, January 20, 2022 Attila KISBENEDEK AFP

If Kay Smits' teammates shone in their first lap, the Blues therefore enforced the hierarchy.

And they will look to prove it again against Iceland on Saturday (6:00 p.m.).

A victory would allow them to take another step towards the last four of the Euro.

© 2022 AFP