Olivier Krumbholz’s France were the final side to take the court in Granollers for the main round, against Poland, and as if to live up to the classic phrase ‘saving the best until last’, further enforced their strong credentials for the title.
 
In the end France eased to a 10-goal win which sees them sit top of their group while Poland stay at the bottom on zero points.
 
MAIN ROUND GROUP I
France vs Poland 26:16 (14:9)
 
France are enjoying their handball. They are enjoying Spain 2021. They are enjoying each other. It is infectious.
 
Watching the goalkeeping pair of Laura Glauser and Cleopatre Darleux at half-time in their warm-up and players warming up before both halves highlights the pure amount of fun and enjoyment the squad has amongst them. 
 
By that time, ‘Les Bleus’ were five up (14:9) with Glauser already on seven saves (44% save ratio) and Poland only a 40% success rate in attack.
 
The second half saw more of the same and by the end Allison Pineau had registered three goals in attack and senior championship debutant Orlane Ahanda had made her debut, with the Les Neptunes de Nantes right back scoring a solitary goal past her club teammate Adrianna Placzek in the Poland goal.
 
In the end it was another 10 or more goal-win for France – their third in four games – with Krumbholz’s defence completely nullifying any chance of a Poland attack, conceding nine goals in the first half and just seven in the second.
 
“We are very happy,” said Krumbholz after the match. “It was a tough game and we had a very good preparation [for this match] especially for the defence, the French defence was amazing for all 60 minutes. In one or two games, we will be at the maximum.”
 
hummel Player of the Match: Pauletta Foppa, France