"It was a great match, we took the advantage quite quickly (17-11 at half-time, editor's note)", savored, beaming, Estelle Nze Minko.

The Olympic champions have crushed 15 goals from the Romanians yet of a different caliber than the modest Macedonians already mastered by ten goals (24-14) on Saturday.

"It's a river score, we suffocated them by going faster than them. We reproduced an effective defense against a team from another dimension. It's really a magnificent match", reveled the coach Olivier Krumbholz.

Les Bleues will play Wednesday (8:30 p.m.) for first place in their group C against the Netherlands, who easily defeated North Macedonia (30-15) earlier in the evening.

The results of the first round being carried over to the next, the winner will take an option on one of the places in the semi-finals, awarded to the first two nations of each group of the main round.

"Full Match"

Except Montenegro, the two other opponents of Pool D donated with the Blues remain to be determined.

It could be Germany or Poland, which Olivier Krumbholz's players dominated in October in a warm-up match, or even Spain.

French handball player Estelle Nze Minko (R) prepares to shoot during the victory over Romania in the preliminary round of the Euro 2022 women's handball tournament in North Macedonia, November 7, 2022 Robert ATANASOVSKI AFP/Archives

"We all have the + smile +," said Grace Zaadi, with a big smile.

"It's a full match. We were good in all areas of the game, even if the perfect match does not exist."

Sharp as usual in rising balls, where captain Estelle Nze Minko often concluded the counter-attacks (6 goals), the Olympic champions raised their level on the attacks placed.

The shooting quality of Orlane Kanor (4 goals), back after being in trouble with a shoulder, contributed to this.

Like the influence of Grace Zaadi (3 goals), who disgusted her new teammates from CSM Bucharest, Cristina Neagu and Crina Pintea.

"Orlane was very valuable. She really brought resources, in the long shot, whereas at the beginning, we played rather with an overflowing rear base. The complementarity is taking place", appreciated Olivier Krumbholz.

"Grace led the team well, she was patient when needed."

France's Grace Zaadi Deuna (C) scored 3 goals in the match between France and Romania in the preliminary round of Women's Handball Euro 2022 in North Macedonia, November 7, 2022 Robert ATANASOVSKI AFP/Archives

In front of the three-quarters empty stands - barely 500 spectators - of the Boris Trajkovski room, revealing the design of the Macedonian flag on the stands, Estelle Nze Minko became the second best French scorer in the history of the European Championship , tied with Siraba Dembélé (118 goals) but still behind Alexandra Lacrabère (154).

Already European champion, like several teammates in 2018, "ENM" is aiming for a second continental crown.

France would then join Norway and Denmark among the only selections titled several times.

The road is still long to Ljubljana, host of the last four, but it is already taking shape.

© 2022 AFP