The Olympic champions, still undefeated in this European championship, have taken the lead of their group alone and need only one point in two matches to secure a place in the last four.

"It's a great result because we win and because we obtain a very positive goal average which can weigh heavily in case we are tied on points with other teams", savored Olivier Krumbholz.

Its players brought down to earth Montenegrins in levitation during their first round on their land of Podgorica where no one had been able to bring down the small Balkan republic (620,000 inhabitants).

A fourth appearance in a row in the semi-finals of the continental tournament is reaching out to the Blues, who have six points in their Group II in three matches.

The band of Estelle Nze Minko can validate their qualification on Tuesday (8:30 p.m.) against Germany, otherwise the next day (8:30 p.m.) against Spain.

The top two teams from each main round group qualify for the last four in Ljubljana where the semi-finals are held on Friday and the final on Sunday.

Faced with the French defense and its ultimate rampart Cléopâtre Darleux (41% of shots stopped), the Montenegrins had more difficulty finding the way to the nets than a tourist leaving the labyrinthine old bazaar of Skopje.

Relentless defense by Grace Zaadi of the France team in front of Montenegrin Milena Raicevic in a handball Euro match on November 13, 2022 in Skopje Robert ATANASOVSKI AFP

"The defense was marvelous with an exceptional goalkeeper," praised Olivier Krumbholz.

The three days of rest since the success against the Netherlands (26-24) on Wednesday have not stopped the relentless muzzling machine of the vice-champions of Europe (2020) and the world (2021).

No more than the audience hostile to decibels worthy of ultras, multiplied by the sounding board that is the Boris-Trajkovski room.

“With the madmen, at some point, it could have changed, notes Cléopâtre Darleux. They spat on me, insulted me, threw something round on the ground. Smart things …”

Carried by several hundred Montenegrins who invaded the stands where they deployed a huge gold and scarlet tifo, the selection with the two-headed eagle only competed for about fifteen minutes (5-4) and even dived on their return from the locker room suffering a 9-2 (from 12-9 to 21-11).

"We had a little difficult moment, when they threw all their forces into the battle but we were able to recover at the end of the match, appreciates the coach. On the offensive level, we found the conquering French team which knew how to chastise them when they lost the ball."

At the pivot, Pauletta Foppa magnetized the balls (6 goals on 7 shots) and asserts herself as the best French scorer in this tournament (15 goals).

Also with Orlane Kanor, precious for his firepower (4/4 in shooting from afar), the Blues can aim far.

© 2022 AFP